Tek or Nova Extreme Pro under the tree?

My wife has given the green light to a lighting upgrade. It's an expensive thing so I felt she needed to be part of the financial decision. Especially, when I've been the one pushing for sticking to a budget. She wants a cowfish as a concession so I guess I'll need to start another tank.;D

Anyway, why do people recommend the Tek T5 fixture so much? Is it really that different from the cheaper Nova Extreme Pro?

I have a 72 gallon bowfront. If I go with the Tek should I get a 6x54W or an 8x54W? The 8 is only like $30 more. I was thinking of maybe leaving a few bulbs out if it is too much light. That way I have some reserve and I can use it on a larger tank in the future? Can I run it with some bulbs removed?

What combination of bulbs should I get?

Help, need to order soon so it gets here by Christmas.

 

I'd put up MH's if it was me.

 

tek 8 bulb and 4x UVL white actinic and 4x UVL super actinc

 

The individual reflectors make the TEK put out substantially more light. However, with a bowfront, I'm not sure it's your best choice. If you went with a 8 bulb fixture, you would be lighting the floor in front of your tank and also would cause a glare on the viewing pane. Even the 6 bulb unit might do this as they are like 15 or 16 inches wide.

I would think you would need model T5-44 because those are only like a foot wide.

 

+1 on that Iraf. It is a great fixture and great bulb combo. The nova is not bad from what I understand but you should get the UVL bulbs for it but the TEK is so much better. I went with the TEK over the MH. Look at That Guys tank and you can see just what the TEK can do.

 

Yup....Tek gets my vote. But with the bowfront the 6x54W is probably the way to go. Just do the measurments and see what fits and what doesn't. The UVL bulbs are very good too. That's what I am going to set myself up with when it is time.

 

yea me having the same tank i know what your going through, we only have 13" of side, the tek 6 light is too big for us but we can use the nova 6 light combo and it will fit fine

 

hydrojeff, how loud are the fans on the nova 6 pro? Also, do you have enough room to get your arm in the tank? The brackets for the Nova look like they run the full width of the tank whereas the brackets for the Tek look narrower allowing the fixture to be slid back to get tank access.

 

The benefit to the nova extreme is that it is all inclusive. You get leg brackets and a splash guard, the tek doesn't come with either. The nova extreme pro is an upgrade over the old model because it has individual reflectors. I am happy with my nova extreme lighting fixture, but when I upgrade, I will probably get a tek fixture.

 

I almost went with the nova extreme pro but I ended up getting a sundial t-5 set up, I don't have it yet and I am already doubting that it will be enough light for my 55.