20" Sunpod 150w MH .VS 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5

xenon · 09/24/2008, 11:08 PM

Let me start off by saying that both fixtures are fantastic in their own way. Both have pros and cons and one is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on your own personal preferences.

20" Sunpod 150w MH

Pros
- Light is more intense
- White LED and blue LED moonlights
- You get the shimmer effect with MH

Cons:
- Light is too concentrated in the center
- It gives off way more heat
- No actinics (This was the deal breaker)

20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5

Pros
- The light is spread more evenly
- Barely any heat at all
- VERY blue actinics (Love it!)

Cons:
- No LED moonlights
- No shimmer effect
- Light is less intense overall
- No other manufactures make 18" T5 bulbs

Sunpod on the left. Nova Extreme Pro on the right.

Nova Extreme Pro actinics

Nova Extreme Pro daytime

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.

Here is what they both look like over my 29g biocube. No colors have been enhanced/photoshoped or altered in any way. I simply snaped the pic and cropped it down to 800x600.

Sunpod 150w MH with standard Current USA bulb.

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.

Nova Extreme Pro actinics.

I was expecting the color spectrum of the Nova Extreme Pro to very white. To my surprise it was the perfect amount of blue IMO. I will be adding some moonlights somehow because I can't live without them. If you haven't figured it out by now I will be keeping the Nova Extreme Pro.

TXAlbert · 09/24/2008, 11:30 PM

Thank you for a great comparison. I've been torn over which one of the above two fixture to pick for my new 30 cube. I think this kind of settles it for me, in favor of the MH's, though. I just can't do without them shimmer lines

Once again, your time and effort is much appreciated, thank you.

Justinandkrista · 09/24/2008, 11:37 PM

wow way beter color with the T5 i like it alot.

Justinandkrista · 09/24/2008, 11:38 PM

could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

xenon · 09/24/2008, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Justinandkrista
could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

No problem.

I will post a pic of how each fixtures looks like on the tank.

xenon · 09/24/2008, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AlbertoMexico
Thank you for a great comparison. I've been torn over which one of the above two fixture to pick for my new 30 cube. I think this kind of settles it for me, in favor of the MH's, though. I just can't do without them shimmer lines

Once again, your time and effort is much appreciated, thank you.

You could always get some bright white LED lights to generate the shimmer effect. I will be looking into that shortly.

http://www.current-usa.com/powerbrite.html

xenon · 09/24/2008, 11:52 PM

Because the Nova Extreme Pro does not have any moonlight I added two Coralife 1w LED moonlights to the rear corners of my tank.

jackson6745 · 09/25/2008, 01:34 AM

Thanks for the comparison. I'm sure many will find this helpful.
I think the overall color of the T5's and the blend of the lighting looks much better. I wish sunpod made a 20" halide fixture that had a couple actinics built in. That would be the perfect option.

I just wanted to add that I love your rocks and the aquascaping. That nano has a ton of potential.

What camera are you using for you photos?

scram2 · 09/25/2008, 02:19 AM

the t5s look way better nice tank by the way

thats the reason i dont like sunpods they dont have anything but the MH. I went with the current MH with t-5s

got both of the great lights in it!

melanotaenia · 09/25/2008, 06:59 AM

current makes the outer orbit line with actinics but no 20" model

Rosseau · 09/25/2008, 07:11 AM

Nice.

I saw your OVAS listing for the Sunpod, but like you, I would want some actinic supplementation in there too !

Had you been running a chiller on this tank?

trueperc · 09/25/2008, 08:19 AM

I also saw you add on Ovas and was actually considering it sadly until I read this. As the one reason I was going for was to reduce the heat issue with the standard aquapod hood. So it looks like I will be going with Nova. Heat is a big issue with these nanos. Thanks for the conparison.

purpleGODZILLA · 09/25/2008, 08:31 AM

It would be great if there are par readings for both.

xenon · 09/25/2008, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jackson6745
Thanks for the comparison. I'm sure many will find this helpful.
I think the overall color of the T5's and the blend of the lighting looks much better. I wish sunpod made a 20" halide fixture that had a couple actinics built in. That would be the perfect option.

I just wanted to add that I love your rocks and the aquascaping. That nano has a ton of potential.

What camera are you using for you photos?

I agree 100%.

The ultimate setup would be a Sunpod with actinics.

I am using a really crappy Canon SD850IS PnS cam.

xenon · 09/25/2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by purpleGODZILLA
It would be great if there are par readings for both.

I can get my hands on a LUX meter but nobody I know has a PAR meter.

xenon · 09/25/2008, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rosseau
Nice.

I saw your OVAS listing for the Sunpod, but like you, I would want some actinic supplementation in there too !

Had you been running a chiller on this tank?

No chiller was required. My temps were stable at 80.

I doubt my heater turned on very often though.

CamBarr · 09/25/2008, 09:36 AM

great thread!!!!

CamBarr · 09/25/2008, 09:37 AM

what is the depth of the bio cube 29 gal?

Poorcollegereef · 09/25/2008, 09:53 AM

What is the Kelvin rating for the MH? How would a 10k,14k or 1 20k in comparison with the t5? Also, besides the par/lux ratings, maybe a temp comparison. Such as ambient room temp, photo period, low temp, and peak temp. Just some thoughts, but great comparison so far!

xenon · 09/25/2008, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Justinandkrista
could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

Nova Extreme Pro

Sunpod

kyman2391 · 09/25/2008, 02:11 PM

What are the actinics lights for?

Justinandkrista · 09/25/2008, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by xenon
Let me start off by saying that both fixtures are fantastic in their own way. Both have pros and cons and one is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on your own personal preferences.

Sunpod 150w MH with standard Current USA bulb.

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.

Nova Extreme Pro actinics.

I was expecting the color spectrum of the Nova Extreme Pro to very white. To my surprise it was the perfect amount of blue IMO.

Thx for the pics on the fixture over the tank. I have seen alot of threads asking what light upgrade for the bc29 the 4.36 or the sunpod and once this nova pro came out i keep mentioning it but i got laughed at. I think your the first one to take the plung into this new fixture. I would much rather have T5. I think the color is great and your tank looks awesome with it. Gj

Quote:

Originally posted by kyman2391
What are the actinics lights for?

The color mainly i think, iv also heard the corals grow beter with that light spectrum.

Memeber007 · 09/26/2008, 12:30 AM

Tank looks much better under sunpod when you switch to 20k bulb, instead of 14k.

cirujano · 09/26/2008, 12:35 AM

Where's a good online place to buy a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5.

xenon · 09/26/2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cirujano
Where's a good online place to buy a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5.

http://www.marinedepot.com

09/24/2008, 11:08 PM	#1
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	20" Sunpod 150w MH .VS 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5 Let me start off by saying that both fixtures are fantastic in their own way. Both have pros and cons and one is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on your own personal preferences. 20" Sunpod 150w MH Pros - Light is more intense - White LED and blue LED moonlights - You get the shimmer effect with MH Cons: - Light is too concentrated in the center - It gives off way more heat - No actinics (This was the deal breaker) 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5 Pros - The light is spread more evenly - Barely any heat at all - VERY blue actinics (Love it!) Cons: - No LED moonlights - No shimmer effect - Light is less intense overall - No other manufactures make 18" T5 bulbs Sunpod on the left. Nova Extreme Pro on the right. Nova Extreme Pro actinics Nova Extreme Pro daytime Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics. Here is what they both look like over my 29g biocube. No colors have been enhanced/photoshoped or altered in any way. I simply snaped the pic and cropped it down to 800x600. Sunpod 150w MH with standard Current USA bulb. Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics. Nova Extreme Pro actinics. I was expecting the color spectrum of the Nova Extreme Pro to very white. To my surprise it was the perfect amount of blue IMO. I will be adding some moonlights somehow because I can't live without them. If you haven't figured it out by now I will be keeping the Nova Extreme Pro.

09/24/2008, 11:30 PM	#2
TXAlbert Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Aggieland Posts: 169	Thank you for a great comparison. I've been torn over which one of the above two fixture to pick for my new 30 cube. I think this kind of settles it for me, in favor of the MH's, though. I just can't do without them shimmer lines Once again, your time and effort is much appreciated, thank you. __________________ Do you like to 'Do It Yourself'? Current Tank Info: No Current Tanks. I just like their light fixtures.

09/25/2008, 01:34 AM	#8
jackson6745 Yeah Yeah Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rockaway Park, NY Posts: 5,822	Thanks for the comparison. I'm sure many will find this helpful. I think the overall color of the T5's and the blend of the lighting looks much better. I wish sunpod made a 20" halide fixture that had a couple actinics built in. That would be the perfect option. I just wanted to add that I love your rocks and the aquascaping. That nano has a ton of potential. What camera are you using for you photos? __________________ Richard - Officially done shipping coral. Don't ask! http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2357196"]http://www.reefcentralcom/forums/showthread.php?t=2357196 Officially Done Shipping

09/25/2008, 07:11 AM	#11
Rosseau Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Kingston, Ontario Posts: 2,049	Nice. I saw your OVAS listing for the Sunpod, but like you, I would want some actinic supplementation in there too ! Had you been running a chiller on this tank? __________________ Still fighting entropy.

09/25/2008, 09:36 AM	#17
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	great thread!!!! __________________ Cam Barr

09/24/2008, 11:37 PM	#3
Justinandkrista Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Angeles,WA Posts: 691	wow way beter color with the T5 i like it alot.

09/24/2008, 11:38 PM	#4
Justinandkrista Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Angeles,WA Posts: 691	could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

09/24/2008, 11:52 PM	#7
xenon Owner of Canada Corals Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Mississauga, Canada Posts: 3,148	Because the Nova Extreme Pro does not have any moonlight I added two Coralife 1w LED moonlights to the rear corners of my tank.

09/25/2008, 02:19 AM	#9
scram2 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PASADENA Posts: 649	the t5s look way better nice tank by the way thats the reason i dont like sunpods they dont have anything but the MH. I went with the current MH with t-5s got both of the great lights in it!

09/25/2008, 06:59 AM	#10
melanotaenia Moved On Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 919	current makes the outer orbit line with actinics but no 20" model

09/25/2008, 08:19 AM	#12
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	I also saw you add on Ovas and was actually considering it sadly until I read this. As the one reason I was going for was to reduce the heat issue with the standard aquapod hood. So it looks like I will be going with Nova. Heat is a big issue with these nanos. Thanks for the conparison.

09/25/2008, 08:31 AM	#13
purpleGODZILLA Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 59	It would be great if there are par readings for both.

09/25/2008, 09:37 AM	#18
CamBarr Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Irvine, SOCAL Posts: 2,365	what is the depth of the bio cube 29 gal? __________________ Cam Barr

09/25/2008, 09:53 AM	#19
Poorcollegereef Future Doc Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Posts: 961	What is the Kelvin rating for the MH? How would a 10k,14k or 1 20k in comparison with the t5? Also, besides the par/lux ratings, maybe a temp comparison. Such as ambient room temp, photo period, low temp, and peak temp. Just some thoughts, but great comparison so far!

09/25/2008, 02:11 PM	#21
kyman2391 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 119	What are the actinics lights for?

09/26/2008, 12:30 AM	#23
Memeber007 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 589	Tank looks much better under sunpod when you switch to 20k bulb, instead of 14k.

09/26/2008, 12:35 AM	#24
cirujano Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Westminster, Co Posts: 395	Where's a good online place to buy a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5.