Advice on T5 Nova Extreme fixture

tcwells23 · Aug 29, 2011

I have a 90 gallon tank, it is 48"x24"x18". I recently got a Current USA Nova Extreme 48" 8 bulb fixture. It does not have the individual reflectors, just one big one. I was using a Current USA Outer Orbit with two 150w MH and two 130w power compacts. If I keep the t5 Nova Extreme would I be downgrading or are they about the same? I only have a hammer, frogspawn and a mushroom at this point but do plan on adding more corals. I want to keep one fixture and sell the other but can't make up my mind which one to keep. Thanks for any advice or opinions!

soccerbag · Aug 30, 2011

I would say that if the Nova had individual reflectors, it would easily out-do the Current fixture. However, with just one reflector, you lose a lot of light (it's still there, just not all directed where it should go). I'm not a big fan of those lights due to the single reflector setup but I understand that cost is an issue with a lot of the higher end T5 fixtures! If you are just planning on keeping softies, you could keep either one and you should be fine. If you plan on keeping some SPS I would personally choose the Current fixture. Others may disagree but I think the Current fixture is much nicer than the Nova T5 fixture. While the Power Compacts really don't do alot as far as PAR goes, the twin 150w halides do help. It's a tough call. Why did you get the T5 fixture? Was heat an issue with the Current? Just curious why you wanted to change....

skinz78 · Aug 30, 2011

I agree with soccerbag on this one, I currently have a 24" Nova Extreme and I wish I had a different light with individual reflectors. You will see better growth with your other light IMHO.

tcwells23 · Aug 30, 2011

Thank you both. I got the T5 fixture because I had T5's on the very first tank I had and just like the way they look. I also got a good deal on the Nova Extreme and didn't realize I needed the individual reflectors until I started doing more research. Heat isn't really an issue, I don't have a chiller but my temps haven't flucuated much so far. It may be a while before I get into SPS but would rather have the right lighting now instead of having to upgrade later.

Thanks for the help!!