Nova xtrm retro vs nova extreme pro

jason71832 · 02/02/2008, 04:02 PM

OK, What is the difference between a nova extreme retro fit kit, and a nova extreme pro hood. They both have individual reflectors. I have read the thread on the extreme "PRO" owners club. What's the difference in the older NOVA extreme hoods and the new extreme "PRO" hoods? Would retrofiting the retrofit kit into my existing canopy be the same as buying the pro hood? I can't squeeze the pro hood into my canopy...both are 36"...the retrofit is 33.5

moprint · 02/02/2008, 04:26 PM

From the pics it looks like the reflectors wrap around the bulb more on the retro kit then the hood, which is a good thing. So yes it would be like buying the hood just minus the fans.

Chopstix · 02/02/2008, 04:56 PM

Are you sure you would want to use a hood in a canopy to begin with? That seems like an un-needed heat trap. In fact, there is a big warning with my 48" Extrene Pro fixture stating not to use it under a canopy due to heat build-up. That could cause premature failure of the ballasts at the least and possibly something much worse. If you have a canopy why not go with a straight T5 Retro kit and eliminate the hood entirely?

jason71832 · 02/02/2008, 05:14 PM

chopstix....would I get the same lighting benefit from just running six bulbs on a retro as I would running the pro hood? I have heard the pro is in a class above the regular extreme and I want to know how the retro stacks up to the pro. I think the diff is the pro and the retro have individual reflectors and the regular extreme doesn't? Also would I be better with just 4 bulbs on a 46 gallon instead of 6 to keep from killing LPS and softies?

jason71832 · 02/02/2008, 05:17 PM

aslo is the six bulbs in a pro overkill on a mixed tank 46 gallon...will I kill my softies and LPS if I'm not careful. Should I just stick with 4 at 156 watts and if I do can I still have some sps up high?

moprint · 02/02/2008, 05:20 PM

Start out with four and if you need more add 2 more. Yes the retro is just as good if not better then fixture.

Justinandkrista · 02/02/2008, 06:39 PM

Nova extreme 4x39w t5 fixtures are a lot cheaper than the nova pro's. The nova pros dont have individual reflectors, more of one big reflector curved and bent around the 6 bulbs. Plus buying a 350 dollar fixture for that tank would be hard becuase i can see you upgrading to a biger tank. If you were to get a retro kit you could use it again in a biger tank. I think with that hood a fixture could genorate alot of heat. If you got enough space in the hood try a diy and show me some pics im in the same boat with my 46 gallon. I like this kit. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~SL2413.html

jason71832 · 02/02/2008, 09:50 PM

Actually justin, according to the current usa website the pro has individually contoured reflectors. I think you mean the regular old extreme has one refelector. Also, look at this retro kit (it comes with bulbs and has individual reflectors.)

dsn112 · 02/02/2008, 10:41 PM

Justin is right, its one reflector bent 6 times around the bulbs. That is why it says individually contoured, not just individual reflector. I have a pro on my 70g, so I'm positive.

moprint · 02/03/2008, 12:08 AM

Ok the Nova Extreme Pro is only $296 from the doctors. It is a better fixture then then the regular Extremes. The original poster was tallking about a retro kit, the nova extreme kit which is better then the fixtures. So the answer is not that hard he needs to get the retro kit, 4 bulbs to start with then he can add 2 more if needed. Jason get the retro.

harsh12ka4 · 02/03/2008, 12:21 AM

well i have one tread going on and i have somewhat the same issue why would somebody pay more for the nova extreme pro if only the difference is the individual reflectors.
can some also tell how much difference would it make if you buy regular nova extreme 2x54w( three of them ) and one 6x54w nova extreme pro??

chem-e · 02/03/2008, 01:06 AM

If you're thinking about a retrofit, why not go with the best and get the Icecap reflectors. I used to use retrofit kits prior to using fixtures and unless the Nova retrofit kit is a lot cheaper than a kit with Icecaps reflectors, I'd go with the Icecaps.

moprint · 02/03/2008, 08:52 AM

harsh the difference would be very noticeable. The reflector is the main componet on a T-5 system. The regular Extreme has one big flat shiny reflector, the Pro has inddividually contured reflectors, then a retro has true individual reflectors. Marinedepot has the Extreme kit for $135, it is a 2 bulb kit. Reefgeek has the standard Icecap kit for $149. I didn't know they were that close in price, now I would get the Icecap retro.

jason71832 · 02/03/2008, 09:19 AM

is that particular icecap retro good? I have heard so much about the 660 ballast being the best and that's not what comes with the 149.00 retrofit.

moprint · 02/03/2008, 09:44 AM

That kit comes with a standard t-5 ballast, like what the extreme retro comes with. The Very high output kit comes with an Icecap 430 ballasts which overdrives bulbs. The $149 retro is a good buy.

chem-e · 02/03/2008, 11:46 AM

If the price difference is negligible, I'd definitely get the Icecap retro over the Nova. The Icecap reflectors have really good ratings and the ballasts aren't that bad either.

Justinandkrista · 02/03/2008, 02:59 PM

Fulham Workhorse ballast, ever heard of them? There close to the ice cap retro kit in price. But i think its just a normal non overdriven ballast.

http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-Tek-Light-2x3...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/Tek-36-2x39-watt...QQcmdZViewItem

02/02/2008, 04:02 PM	#1
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	Nova xtrm retro vs nova extreme pro OK, What is the difference between a nova extreme retro fit kit, and a nova extreme pro hood. They both have individual reflectors. I have read the thread on the extreme "PRO" owners club. What's the difference in the older NOVA extreme hoods and the new extreme "PRO" hoods? Would retrofiting the retrofit kit into my existing canopy be the same as buying the pro hood? I can't squeeze the pro hood into my canopy...both are 36"...the retrofit is 33.5 __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

02/02/2008, 04:56 PM	#3
Chopstix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Monroe, MI Posts: 58	Are you sure you would want to use a hood in a canopy to begin with? That seems like an un-needed heat trap. In fact, there is a big warning with my 48" Extrene Pro fixture stating not to use it under a canopy due to heat build-up. That could cause premature failure of the ballasts at the least and possibly something much worse. If you have a canopy why not go with a straight T5 Retro kit and eliminate the hood entirely? __________________ I have gone off in search of myself. If I should return before I get back, keep me here ... Current Tank Info: 70g, 20g sump/fuge, Aqua C EV-120 skimmer, 48" Nova Extreme Pro T5HO

02/02/2008, 05:14 PM	#4
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	chopstix....would I get the same lighting benefit from just running six bulbs on a retro as I would running the pro hood? I have heard the pro is in a class above the regular extreme and I want to know how the retro stacks up to the pro. I think the diff is the pro and the retro have individual reflectors and the regular extreme doesn't? Also would I be better with just 4 bulbs on a 46 gallon instead of 6 to keep from killing LPS and softies? __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

02/02/2008, 05:17 PM	#5
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	aslo is the six bulbs in a pro overkill on a mixed tank 46 gallon...will I kill my softies and LPS if I'm not careful. Should I just stick with 4 at 156 watts and if I do can I still have some sps up high? __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

02/02/2008, 09:50 PM	#8
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	Actually justin, according to the current usa website the pro has individually contoured reflectors. I think you mean the regular old extreme has one refelector. Also, look at this retro kit (it comes with bulbs and has individual reflectors.) __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

02/02/2008, 04:26 PM	#2
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	From the pics it looks like the reflectors wrap around the bulb more on the retro kit then the hood, which is a good thing. So yes it would be like buying the hood just minus the fans.

02/02/2008, 05:20 PM	#6
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	Start out with four and if you need more add 2 more. Yes the retro is just as good if not better then fixture.

02/02/2008, 06:39 PM	#7
Justinandkrista Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Angeles,WA Posts: 691	Nova extreme 4x39w t5 fixtures are a lot cheaper than the nova pro's. The nova pros dont have individual reflectors, more of one big reflector curved and bent around the 6 bulbs. Plus buying a 350 dollar fixture for that tank would be hard becuase i can see you upgrading to a biger tank. If you were to get a retro kit you could use it again in a biger tank. I think with that hood a fixture could genorate alot of heat. If you got enough space in the hood try a diy and show me some pics im in the same boat with my 46 gallon. I like this kit. http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...ct~SL2413.html

02/02/2008, 10:41 PM	#9
dsn112 Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: South Jersey Posts: 1,139	Justin is right, its one reflector bent 6 times around the bulbs. That is why it says individually contoured, not just individual reflector. I have a pro on my 70g, so I'm positive. __________________ I'm disturbed! I'm depressed! I'm inadequate! I got it all!! Current Tank Info: Fluval Edge w LED freshwater. Looking at doing a 20-40g long penninsula fowlr soon

02/03/2008, 12:08 AM	#10
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	Ok the Nova Extreme Pro is only $296 from the doctors. It is a better fixture then then the regular Extremes. The original poster was tallking about a retro kit, the nova extreme kit which is better then the fixtures. So the answer is not that hard he needs to get the retro kit, 4 bulbs to start with then he can add 2 more if needed. Jason get the retro.

02/03/2008, 12:21 AM	#11
harsh12ka4 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: north wales Posts: 79	well i have one tread going on and i have somewhat the same issue why would somebody pay more for the nova extreme pro if only the difference is the individual reflectors. can some also tell how much difference would it make if you buy regular nova extreme 2x54w( three of them ) and one 6x54w nova extreme pro??

02/03/2008, 01:06 AM	#12
chem-e Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,350	If you're thinking about a retrofit, why not go with the best and get the Icecap reflectors. I used to use retrofit kits prior to using fixtures and unless the Nova retrofit kit is a lot cheaper than a kit with Icecaps reflectors, I'd go with the Icecaps. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: Elos [~] 70 powered by Profilux

02/03/2008, 08:52 AM	#13
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	harsh the difference would be very noticeable. The reflector is the main componet on a T-5 system. The regular Extreme has one big flat shiny reflector, the Pro has inddividually contured reflectors, then a retro has true individual reflectors. Marinedepot has the Extreme kit for $135, it is a 2 bulb kit. Reefgeek has the standard Icecap kit for $149. I didn't know they were that close in price, now I would get the Icecap retro.

02/03/2008, 09:19 AM	#14
jason71832 RRMAS Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DeQueen Arkansas Posts: 182	is that particular icecap retro good? I have heard so much about the 660 ballast being the best and that's not what comes with the 149.00 retrofit. __________________ No son, fish don't like cheeto-s. 46 Gallon Bowfront, custom stand and canopy 2-150w HQI's***2-39 watt T5's 9 Blue/ 9 White Moonlights NEW TANK BUILD 156 with a 45 sump Will be LPS/SOFTIE dominant.

02/03/2008, 09:44 AM	#15
moprint Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: MO Posts: 270	That kit comes with a standard t-5 ballast, like what the extreme retro comes with. The Very high output kit comes with an Icecap 430 ballasts which overdrives bulbs. The $149 retro is a good buy.

02/03/2008, 11:46 AM	#16
chem-e Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,350	If the price difference is negligible, I'd definitely get the Icecap retro over the Nova. The Icecap reflectors have really good ratings and the ballasts aren't that bad either. __________________ "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." ~ Benjamin Franklin Current Tank Info: Elos [~] 70 powered by Profilux

02/03/2008, 02:59 PM	#17
Justinandkrista Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Angeles,WA Posts: 691	Fulham Workhorse ballast, ever heard of them? There close to the ice cap retro kit in price. But i think its just a normal non overdriven ballast. http://cgi.ebay.com/T5-Tek-Light-2x3...QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/Tek-36-2x39-watt...QQcmdZViewItem