t5 or not

TangMang232 · 03-09-2008, 11:34 AM

So I'm starting to get all the equipment i need for the 150 gallon reef project I'm putting together. The lighting unit I am debating on is the Current USA NOVA extreme Pro 72' T-5 HO unit. it has 12x39watts of power with individual reflectors. Sounds nice but by calculation it might not be enough for SPS, which is what I am trying to get. I read a review the other day about how T-5 Wattage can not be calculated like power compacts would.

Is this a good light to get, I am trying to avoid the cost on MH even though I would love to have them. The heat concern and electric concern are big on my wifes mind, so i must play fair lol.

Heres a link to the light.

72 inch Current USA 12x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 6-10k/6-460nm Actinics (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > T5 Lighting > 72in Units )

The other thing I am trying to figure out is if there is a brand that you recommend over another one. I have seen a few threads and have seen some bad comments on the Current USA line. What are your thoughts. Any and all help would be much appreciated. Thanks all

JoJo · 03-09-2008, 11:57 AM

Thats what i plan on using for my 135g, what were the bad comments? I have been told that just about anything you can keep with MH you can keep with T-5. Have you thought about the solaris lights? Thats what MH people are going to.

dfurbee · 03-09-2008, 11:59 AM

I have T5's, the Nove extreme pro. very nice, my sps love them. If I could have afforded to would have gotten the solaris led

TangMang232 · 03-09-2008, 05:06 PM

yeah i have considered, but there so exspensive. Im sure they pay themselves off in no time. a 72inch set is like 3 grand and thats about what the hole tank is gunna cost without stock lol.

The bad comments were that Current have a really poor ballast design. I also read that there design and overall quality was not that of coralife products. Im searching for the article now but im not sure if ill find it or not. Ill keep ya posted.

My 65 gallon now has regular t-5 (not HO) and a set of power compact. I like the T-5 becasuse they dont heat my tank up like no other lol. Im going to be playing around with the bulbs to see what color i can get, i like the very bright white look, so im guessing 10k is the best. Think a mix of 10k and 14k would look cool?? and then of course keeping actinic?

TangMang232 · 03-10-2008, 12:55 PM

msbdiving · 03-10-2008, 03:11 PM

You might want to look into this 14 bulb fixture.
Aquactinics Constellation T5 High Output Fixtures - Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists

I was looking into a 72" for a 180 in the way future and came across this in conjunction with the 12 bulb that you are talking about. This looks pretty good, I'd like to hear if anybody has this.

zy112 · 03-10-2008, 03:48 PM

Eventually the LED's should come down in price like all new technology. How deep is your tank? That would be my only concern.

JoJo · 03-10-2008, 03:57 PM

564watts for $950 or 468watts for $650(Current 72" T-5

msbdiving · 03-10-2008, 06:52 PM

Or you can look at it as 2 extra bulbs and better engineering?

JoJo · 03-10-2008, 07:24 PM

hmmm....if this was a 10 second dragster i would be worried about engineering, but for ME if it cuts on and supplies the right power i'm ok with it. just make sure the bulbs are good as well. i know i will catch some flack for this but, i'm aiming for a middle price range.

TangMang232 · 03-11-2008, 10:28 AM

I like the 14 bulb set. I still like the Current light because of the price. In my boat I have to go cheap or I cant do the tank and IMO, thats not an option lol. The tank will be at the max a 180 gallon tank. The smallest would be a 125. If i have my way it will be the 180 gallon. The T-5 light I posted would have enough wattage to grow SPS wouldnt it?? provided there high up in the tank correct??

NATIVEVAMAN · 03-11-2008, 12:16 PM

I think people are still underestimating t-5's,especially when single lamp reflectors are used.Those 9 bend reflectors are actually taking light from the back of the bulb and putting it in the tank.That is something no other lighting system can claim.Because you will be using light from 360 degrees of bulb it nearly doubles the wattage.People are finding that with these large t-5 units like the 12 bulb unit that they are having to remove bulbs and raise fixtures to prevent coral bleaching.

lcstorc · 03-11-2008, 03:07 PM

The light looks pretty good. It has individual reflectors so that is good as well. I would swap out some of the actinics but that is just my preference.
(psst. It is cheaper at Premium Aquatics and they are an RS sponsor. I didn't look at all of the sponsors one may have it for even less.)

JoJo · 03-11-2008, 03:33 PM

Thanks for info Native & Lynn

TangMang232 · 03-11-2008, 06:26 PM

okay NATIVE, What would you suggest for a lighting system in T-5HO, and about how many bulbs?? would it make more sense to DIY something. Tank 125-180 and at max 24" tall. SPS in mind as well.

03-09-2008, 11:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	t5 or not So I'm starting to get all the equipment i need for the 150 gallon reef project I'm putting together. The lighting unit I am debating on is the Current USA NOVA extreme Pro 72' T-5 HO unit. it has 12x39watts of power with individual reflectors. Sounds nice but by calculation it might not be enough for SPS, which is what I am trying to get. I read a review the other day about how T-5 Wattage can not be calculated like power compacts would. Is this a good light to get, I am trying to avoid the cost on MH even though I would love to have them. The heat concern and electric concern are big on my wifes mind, so i must play fair lol. Heres a link to the light. 72 inch Current USA 12x39W Nova Extreme Pro T5HO 6-10k/6-460nm Actinics (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Lighting > Fixtures > T5 Lighting > 72in Units ) The other thing I am trying to figure out is if there is a brand that you recommend over another one. I have seen a few threads and have seen some bad comments on the Current USA line. What are your thoughts. Any and all help would be much appreciated. Thanks all

03-09-2008, 11:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
dfurbee Nancy Nurse Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WV hillbilly hell Posts: 1,053 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not I have T5's, the Nove extreme pro. very nice, my sps love them. If I could have afforded to would have gotten the solaris led

03-09-2008, 05:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not yeah i have considered, but there so exspensive. Im sure they pay themselves off in no time. a 72inch set is like 3 grand and thats about what the hole tank is gunna cost without stock lol. The bad comments were that Current have a really poor ballast design. I also read that there design and overall quality was not that of coralife products. Im searching for the article now but im not sure if ill find it or not. Ill keep ya posted. My 65 gallon now has regular t-5 (not HO) and a set of power compact. I like the T-5 becasuse they dont heat my tank up like no other lol. Im going to be playing around with the bulbs to see what color i can get, i like the very bright white look, so im guessing 10k is the best. Think a mix of 10k and 14k would look cool?? and then of course keeping actinic?

03-10-2008, 12:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not bump

03-10-2008, 03:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
msbdiving Ricordea Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 193 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: t5 or not You might want to look into this 14 bulb fixture. Aquactinics Constellation T5 High Output Fixtures - Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists I was looking into a 72" for a 180 in the way future and came across this in conjunction with the 12 bulb that you are talking about. This looks pretty good, I'd like to hear if anybody has this.

03-10-2008, 03:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not Eventually the LED's should come down in price like all new technology. How deep is your tank? That would be my only concern. __________________ Zach

03-10-2008, 06:52 PM	#9 (permalink)
msbdiving Ricordea Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 193 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: t5 or not Or you can look at it as 2 extra bulbs and better engineering?

03-11-2008, 10:28 AM	#11 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not I like the 14 bulb set. I still like the Current light because of the price. In my boat I have to go cheap or I cant do the tank and IMO, thats not an option lol. The tank will be at the max a 180 gallon tank. The smallest would be a 125. If i have my way it will be the 180 gallon. The T-5 light I posted would have enough wattage to grow SPS wouldnt it?? provided there high up in the tank correct??

03-11-2008, 12:16 PM	#12 (permalink)
NATIVEVAMAN Serpent Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond va Posts: 209 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not I think people are still underestimating t-5's,especially when single lamp reflectors are used.Those 9 bend reflectors are actually taking light from the back of the bulb and putting it in the tank.That is something no other lighting system can claim.Because you will be using light from 360 degrees of bulb it nearly doubles the wattage.People are finding that with these large t-5 units like the 12 bulb unit that they are having to remove bulbs and raise fixtures to prevent coral bleaching.

03-11-2008, 03:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 19,905 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: t5 or not The light looks pretty good. It has individual reflectors so that is good as well. I would swap out some of the actinics but that is just my preference. (psst. It is cheaper at Premium Aquatics and they are an RS sponsor. I didn't look at all of the sponsors one may have it for even less.) __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

03-11-2008, 06:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
TangMang232 Star Polyps Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 165 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: t5 or not okay NATIVE, What would you suggest for a lighting system in T-5HO, and about how many bulbs?? would it make more sense to DIY something. Tank 125-180 and at max 24" tall. SPS in mind as well.

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