Your Opinion on Lights? - Page 2

drew1 · 05/18/2010, 08:02 PM

As far as the clam, I have no personal experiece. I thought the choice was PC or MH and I didn't think PC was strong enough to support a clam for any length of time, but again, no personal experience with clams. I also agree to lose the glass canopy.

Johnny C · 05/18/2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis32

So what's the difference between like this Tek light and say the Nove Extreme Pro other than the price tag of almost $100.00 more?

The Tek has better reflectors and ballasts which all in the end produce more light. Plus, the Nova comes pre-stocked with bulbs that are junk. You want German-made (i.e. Giesemann, ATI) bulbs and with the Tek depending on where you buy it from you can usually get your own choice of bulbs for about the same amount of money. The Nova Extreme Pro is regarded as one of the cheapest T5 fixtures on the market; this is yet another case of how you get what you pay for. Lighting is one of the most important aspects of our aquariums and it's not something you should skimp on.

Hope I didn't sound harsh at all, just trying to help as best as I can!

Uncle Salty 05 · 05/19/2010, 06:28 AM

My goal is to duplicate what I see in nature.
Nothing but MH or LED are going to accomplish that.
One 150 or 175 MH is not going to produce much more heat than a fixture full of T-5's and it will look much more natural.

travis32 · 05/19/2010, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Lighting is one of the most important aspects of our aquariums and it's not something you should skimp on.

Johnnyc: this is where I'm confused, based on the links above, the nova extreme pros are actually almost $100.00 more than the Tek Lights (based ont he 48" fixture).

So, are you saying this is a case where price isn't indicative of quality? And even though the Tek lights are $100 cheaper, they are better? The links I posted should show the price differences.

Drewcipher · 05/19/2010, 06:54 AM

We have kept a clam in our 75 gallon for several years under T5s. They look fantastic and run cooler than MH. The bulbs are cheaper too, and seem to last longer.We like them so much we bought a 14 bulb setup for our 180 gallon that we are setting up. It looks great, but we don't have any critters yet, so we will have to see if it is enough.

Beaun · 05/19/2010, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travis32

Johnnyc: this is where I'm confused, based on the links above, the nova extreme pros are actually almost $100.00 more than the Tek Lights (based ont he 48" fixture).

So, are you saying this is a case where price isn't indicative of quality? And even though the Tek lights are $100 cheaper, they are better? The links I posted should show the price differences.

The NEP comes with bulbs the Tek light does not come with bulbs from MarineDepot.
For compairson purposes here is the 6 bulb 48" Tek with bulbs $415.95 ( http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply )

The tek fixture IS better then the NEP, the refletors are higher grade and the ballast is much better as well.

24" Tek light with choice of bulbs $281.95
http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_...unlight_Supply

travis32 · 05/19/2010, 07:55 AM

Arg. It's an apples and oranges thing.
Thanks!

I never did get my fruits right.

View Poll Results: What Would you Choose
24" 250W Metal Halide	34	87.18%
30" 130W Power Compact	5	12.82%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

05/19/2010, 06:28 AM	#28
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	My goal is to duplicate what I see in nature. Nothing but MH or LED are going to accomplish that. One 150 or 175 MH is not going to produce much more heat than a fixture full of T-5's and it will look much more natural. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

05/19/2010, 06:54 AM	#30
Drewcipher Premium Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bailey, CO Posts: 896	We have kept a clam in our 75 gallon for several years under T5s. They look fantastic and run cooler than MH. The bulbs are cheaper too, and seem to last longer.We like them so much we bought a 14 bulb setup for our 180 gallon that we are setting up. It looks great, but we don't have any critters yet, so we will have to see if it is enough. __________________ Drew I'm growing older but not up My metabolic rate is pleasantly stuck Let those winds of time blow over my head I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead--Jimmy Buffett Current Tank Info: 75 gallon, Red Sea Max, setting up a 180

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05/18/2010, 08:02 PM	#26
drew1 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 189	As far as the clam, I have no personal experiece. I thought the choice was PC or MH and I didn't think PC was strong enough to support a clam for any length of time, but again, no personal experience with clams. I also agree to lose the glass canopy.

05/19/2010, 07:55 AM	#32
travis32 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: West Fargo, ND Posts: 2,161	Arg. It's an apples and oranges thing. Thanks! I never did get my fruits right.