Current USA Nova Extreme T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch

calli · 07/21/2008, 07:41 PM

Does anyone have this unit or seen it or even heard about it?

Is is Cheap...?? feel cheap?

also the manual mentions that you need to have a cover on your tank with it... I have heard covers are not a good idea.. could you maybe make a cover to clamp on this unit.. or do you recommend any other lighting fixtures that would be better than this?

I am planning FOWLR right now

Maybe a little bit of Corals later on.. I want the option to add.

mudskipper1 · 07/21/2008, 07:57 PM

the problem, or set back for this fixture is that it does not have individual reflectors which is where the t5 goes from okay to great. It will be just fine for FOWLR and would be okay for easy softies if you chose lamps with lower kelvin ratings, and maybe with more actinic as I dont have much experience in this.

calli · 07/21/2008, 08:00 PM

Well the other option is just to get 2 ICE cap 660 Ballasts and build my own hood with lighting.. just need to see if anyone here has any good diag.s on them.. not sure where or how to mount the ballast ... do they need to be free and clear or can I build it into the hood...

mudskipper1 · 07/21/2008, 08:00 PM

oh and I have heard good things about the tek fixtures, a 4 or 6 bulb fixture would be great, you could make a shield for the fixture but it would probably be just fine if you lifted it off the water like 6 inches beyond where any splashing would take place. JMO

mudskipper1 · 07/21/2008, 08:04 PM

you could build them into the hood, but most do not for heat reasons, although where you are that might not be a problem. The icecap ballasts are very good, and that would be the option with the most intensity, and for FOWLR you could get away with only one ballast probably.

HABS#1 · 07/21/2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by calli
Does anyone have this unit or seen it or even heard about it?

Is is Cheap...?? feel cheap?

also the manual mentions that you need to have a cover on your tank with it... I have heard covers are not a good idea.. could you maybe make a cover to clamp on this unit.. or do you recommend any other lighting fixtures that would be better than this?

I am planning FOWLR right now

Maybe a little bit of Corals later on.. I want the option to add.

I have this light and I keep a green open brain and Xenia and frilly mushrooms and a BTA and will be adding a Purple tip Acro and green star polyps.

I have a glass lid on my tank to prevent too much evap I had egg crate on the tank and was replacing 3-5 gal a week from evaporation.

cveverly · 07/21/2008, 08:19 PM

I also had this light on a 75 and it worked well for soft corals and many LPS. I liked it so much I bought the PRO version for my new tank.

calli · 07/21/2008, 08:22 PM

Ok Habs#1 your off on you hockey team but I will still take your advice.. lol kidding...

so does the unit feel solid? not cheap?

Also I hear it is not good to cover your tank... I would rather go with the TEK it allows you to keep it up about 6" off the top and no cover.. that way I don't have any issues.. with gas exchange etc.

BTW... Go Wings ;-)

HABS#1 · 07/21/2008, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by calli
Ok Habs#1 your off on you hockey team but I will still take your advice.. lol kidding...

so does the unit feel solid? not cheap?

Also I hear it is not good to cover your tank... I would rather go with the TEK it allows you to keep it up about 6" off the top and no cover.. that way I don't have any issues.. with gas exchange etc.

BTW... Go Wings ;-)

The DEAD WINGS lol ya the unit feels very solid and the legs raise it up off the top of the tank by about 4 plus inches.

calli · 07/21/2008, 08:40 PM

lol.. well I suppose 4 inches should be good.. I don't see water really splashing that high eh?

HABS#1 · 07/21/2008, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by calli
lol.. well I suppose 4 inches should be good.. I don't see water really splashing that high eh?

I have never had it splash like that.

saltman82 · 07/21/2008, 09:05 PM

i ordered a 8x54 HO l48" light..same kind...should be here wed. hopefully it will be awesome

07/21/2008, 07:57 PM	#2
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	the problem, or set back for this fixture is that it does not have individual reflectors which is where the t5 goes from okay to great. It will be just fine for FOWLR and would be okay for easy softies if you chose lamps with lower kelvin ratings, and maybe with more actinic as I dont have much experience in this. __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

07/21/2008, 08:00 PM	#4
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	oh and I have heard good things about the tek fixtures, a 4 or 6 bulb fixture would be great, you could make a shield for the fixture but it would probably be just fine if you lifted it off the water like 6 inches beyond where any splashing would take place. JMO __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

07/21/2008, 08:04 PM	#5
mudskipper1 Trust Me I'm an Engineer Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan Posts: 1,085	you could build them into the hood, but most do not for heat reasons, although where you are that might not be a problem. The icecap ballasts are very good, and that would be the option with the most intensity, and for FOWLR you could get away with only one ballast probably. __________________ -Eric kazyakphoto.zenfolio.com Current Tank Info: 11 gallon DIY acrylic cube and 20L displays plumbed to a single sump, Kessil, Onyx, MP10, RKL

07/21/2008, 07:41 PM	#1
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	Current USA Nova Extreme T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 4X54 Watt, 48 inch Does anyone have this unit or seen it or even heard about it? Is is Cheap...?? feel cheap? also the manual mentions that you need to have a cover on your tank with it... I have heard covers are not a good idea.. could you maybe make a cover to clamp on this unit.. or do you recommend any other lighting fixtures that would be better than this? I am planning FOWLR right now Maybe a little bit of Corals later on.. I want the option to add.

07/21/2008, 08:19 PM	#7
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	I also had this light on a 75 and it worked well for soft corals and many LPS. I liked it so much I bought the PRO version for my new tank.

07/21/2008, 08:22 PM	#8
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	Ok Habs#1 your off on you hockey team but I will still take your advice.. lol kidding... so does the unit feel solid? not cheap? Also I hear it is not good to cover your tank... I would rather go with the TEK it allows you to keep it up about 6" off the top and no cover.. that way I don't have any issues.. with gas exchange etc. BTW... Go Wings ;-)

07/21/2008, 08:40 PM	#10
calli Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 512	lol.. well I suppose 4 inches should be good.. I don't see water really splashing that high eh?

07/21/2008, 09:05 PM	#12
saltman82 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lewes Delaware` Posts: 109	i ordered a 8x54 HO l48" light..same kind...should be here wed. hopefully it will be awesome