need advice

48 INCH NOVA EXTREME 4 BULB T5 LIGHT
would this be ang good on 55 gal reef setup?

 

Plenty of people use it. Just to check I think the rule is like 2 to 3 watts per gallon. They make an 8 bulb one too.

 

I have the same fixture over a 55 and it works great. I have everything from a leather to a clam. Obviously with some things, such as a clam, placement will play a big part but you will be able to keep a variety of different corals with this light.

 

Hi, this is not just to reefman, the 2-4 watts per gallon is a good estimation but more for compaqs and florescent. With the new tech out there and the use of LEDs and the HO and VHO T5 it is more of an issue of penetration, intensity and spectrum than merely watts per gallon.

 

I was talking about how many watts the fixture could produce. I wasn't trying to insinuate that that is the only thing that matters. Of course you'll want to find out what the right bulbs for his set up are. But you make a good point.

 

You might want to look at the PRO this has a bent reflector around each bulb and will almost double the amount of light that goes into the tank.

 

Also the "New Nova Extreme SLR" has the bent reflectors.. much better imo.. it's a 4 bulb setup... more bulbs get the Pro like Silver says

 

WOW didn't know that had a SLR version now, kewl

 

Yeah just set mine up this morn.. very bright.. went from 80 watt PC.. both have stok bulbs.. I was blinded when the daylights kicked on! WOW

 

I would go with a TX5 or a Tek before fooling around w/ either of Currents lights. Both of the Tek and TX5 are made in the U.S they both have individual reflectors of highly polished MIRO 4 Al with is SIGNIFICANTLY better at reflecting than the cheap foreign knock off aluminum. Many people are drawn to Current simply because DFS sells them and they are fairly cheap. Look into the Teks which will be a better price per se, the TX5 is more but has built in fans and so on. The issue w/ buying lighting is most people wnat something decent, quick and most important cheap. This isn't a good rule to go by. Is the Current better than PC, sure it is. Is it as good as saving another $50-$100 and getting a GREAT light, not a chance. Plus the bulbs that are stock w/ current fitures are lousy and you will most likely replace them as soon as you get the fixture anyhow. Brightness isn't always a good indicator of lamp intensity. Take the LED fixtures out there, I have seen PAR tests on them and it was good, but when I saw the light in person it was "dim"
W/O beating a dead horse here, I would STRONGLY recommend looking around at a couple "better" fixtures before you take the plunge w/ the Current.

Good luck