Worth the money?

FritoBandito · 08/06/2008, 09:34 PM

Hey guys, i've been really researching a new light setup and am looking very intently on the nova extreme 4x39w and the nova extreme pro 6x39w t5's. But the other day I got an offer on a set of Helios 2x150 HQI & 4 Actinics that are a couple of years old, legs included, seller said they work like a champ. He offered them to me at $150 plus freight? Sound lke a good deal or should I go with the Nova's?

FritoBandito · 08/06/2008, 10:16 PM

any replies? lol. seller says they work like a champ...

Macimage · 08/06/2008, 10:32 PM

If the bulbs on the metal halides are a few years old, they've lost their full spectrum and you need to factor in the cost of new bulbs. MH bulbs are good on a reef tank for 6-12 months and then need to be replaced.

Hope this helps your decision. It's really a personal choice as to which you prefer.

Is this for a reef tank or fowlr?

Joyce

FritoBandito · 08/07/2008, 07:07 PM

Well i've decided to go with the tek light t5's. I can afford these for now as I plan on saving the money i could spend to get the MH's to go towards my large tank i'm planning on purchasing next year. My wife wants a 220 room divider but I don't wanna go that big just yet.

I am still looking around for the best deal on the tek light t5's 36" 4x39w. I am contemplating the ones on aquacave.com, they have 4 different options for lights:

these are the options....I plan on just keeping softies and maybe some sps....
Option 1:
2 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 2:
2 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 3:
1 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
1 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting
2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting

Option 4:
4 x Planta 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by Aqua Medic

Any recommendations?
__________________

Amphiprion · 08/07/2008, 07:55 PM

3 sounds more your speed.

FritoBandito · 08/07/2008, 07:57 PM

Cool thanks for the recommendation. I'm just still not to familiar with the diferent types of bulbs.

areze · 08/07/2008, 09:20 PM

Id suggest keeping your future tank in mind...

buy smart instead of cheap. whatever you get, know that you can transition it to the 220.

I might suggest you consider 2x250w halides... its half the lighting you'll want on that 220. its what I ran on my 75g, and its 500$ I didnt have to spend when I got my 240g now. just like the streams, the AC JR. so much overpowered stuff that I added over the years that made the stup up to 240g a very easy switch, and not a single peice of equipment got left behind either.

fishnut__2 · 08/08/2008, 12:08 AM

reef geek had combo deals that were pretty good for teks. light and bulbs prices were decently priced

Macimage · 08/11/2008, 08:02 AM

If you already know that you want to upgrade, I would purchase equipment that can be used on the bigger tank.

Joyce

md fishes · 08/11/2008, 01:12 PM

Check on the Super Actinic Par rating. The Blue Plus bulbs are really blue and give better par.

BTW, I've seen T5 SPS tanks that are killer. You don't need MH. I personally like the combo look with the MH b/c of the shimmer they create.

08/06/2008, 09:34 PM	#1
FritoBandito Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 77	Worth the money? Hey guys, i've been really researching a new light setup and am looking very intently on the nova extreme 4x39w and the nova extreme pro 6x39w t5's. But the other day I got an offer on a set of Helios 2x150 HQI & 4 Actinics that are a couple of years old, legs included, seller said they work like a champ. He offered them to me at $150 plus freight? Sound lke a good deal or should I go with the Nova's? __________________ ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! I BLEED CRIMSON AND BLUE! Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront, currently FOWLR contains three False Percs and a very tiny Blue Hippo Tang, I guess I do have 2 polyps that tagged along when I picked up my live rock. They look like zoas.

08/06/2008, 10:16 PM	#2
FritoBandito Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 77	any replies? lol. seller says they work like a champ... __________________ ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! I BLEED CRIMSON AND BLUE! Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront, currently FOWLR contains three False Percs and a very tiny Blue Hippo Tang, I guess I do have 2 polyps that tagged along when I picked up my live rock. They look like zoas.

08/07/2008, 07:07 PM	#4
FritoBandito Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 77	Well i've decided to go with the tek light t5's. I can afford these for now as I plan on saving the money i could spend to get the MH's to go towards my large tank i'm planning on purchasing next year. My wife wants a 220 room divider but I don't wanna go that big just yet. I am still looking around for the best deal on the tek light t5's 36" 4x39w. I am contemplating the ones on aquacave.com, they have 4 different options for lights: these are the options....I plan on just keeping softies and maybe some sps.... Option 1: 2 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting 2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting Option 2: 2 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting 2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting Option 3: 1 x AquaSun 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting 1 x Actinic White 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting 2 x Super Actinic R 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by UV Lighting Option 4: 4 x Planta 39W T5 Fluorescent Aquarium Lamps by Aqua Medic Any recommendations? __________________ __________________ ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! I BLEED CRIMSON AND BLUE! Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront, currently FOWLR contains three False Percs and a very tiny Blue Hippo Tang, I guess I do have 2 polyps that tagged along when I picked up my live rock. They look like zoas.

08/07/2008, 07:55 PM	#5
Amphiprion Premium Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 6,611	3 sounds more your speed. __________________ You've done it now, haven't you? Current Tank Info: 40g breeder patch reef w/ seagrass; 2-250w XM 10K; Vortech MP40wES & MP10wES; BM Curve 7 skimmer; carbon & occasional GFO

08/07/2008, 07:57 PM	#6
FritoBandito Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 77	Cool thanks for the recommendation. I'm just still not to familiar with the diferent types of bulbs. __________________ ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK! I BLEED CRIMSON AND BLUE! Current Tank Info: 46 gallon bowfront, currently FOWLR contains three False Percs and a very tiny Blue Hippo Tang, I guess I do have 2 polyps that tagged along when I picked up my live rock. They look like zoas.

08/06/2008, 10:32 PM	#3
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	If the bulbs on the metal halides are a few years old, they've lost their full spectrum and you need to factor in the cost of new bulbs. MH bulbs are good on a reef tank for 6-12 months and then need to be replaced. Hope this helps your decision. It's really a personal choice as to which you prefer. Is this for a reef tank or fowlr? Joyce

08/07/2008, 09:20 PM	#7
areze Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 4,048	Id suggest keeping your future tank in mind... buy smart instead of cheap. whatever you get, know that you can transition it to the 220. I might suggest you consider 2x250w halides... its half the lighting you'll want on that 220. its what I ran on my 75g, and its 500$ I didnt have to spend when I got my 240g now. just like the streams, the AC JR. so much overpowered stuff that I added over the years that made the stup up to 240g a very easy switch, and not a single peice of equipment got left behind either. __________________ current tanks:240g of wallet draining capacity.

08/08/2008, 12:08 AM	#8
fishnut__2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: cincinnati ohio Posts: 136	tek reef geek had combo deals that were pretty good for teks. light and bulbs prices were decently priced

08/11/2008, 08:02 AM	#9
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	If you already know that you want to upgrade, I would purchase equipment that can be used on the bigger tank. Joyce

08/11/2008, 01:12 PM	#10
md fishes Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,162	Check on the Super Actinic Par rating. The Blue Plus bulbs are really blue and give better par. BTW, I've seen T5 SPS tanks that are killer. You don't need MH. I personally like the combo look with the MH b/c of the shimmer they create.