Nova Extreme 36" 4 x 39 Watt T5HO

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
nfored

nfored

Fire Eel
MFK Member
Apr 4, 2008
2,597
14
68
Missouri
Can I grow medium light plants with this 55 gallon 48x12x21? I was pretty sad to see that its just barley more then the 4 T8's I had


Four 48" 40 Watt T8's 160 watt and around 1100 Lumens 2300 Lumens each

Four 36" 39 Watt T5HO 156 Watt and like 1300 Lumens. 3200 Lumens each

I though t5ho kicked T8's butt? but I hardly call 82 LPW for the T5HO compared to 57 LPW a butt kicking. I could just add one extra T8 and have the same output.
 
The T5 lamps take up much less space, so the reflectors are much more efficient. I bet that T5HO light will look easily twice as bright as the T8's.
 
I like most of the Nova Extreme fixtures, but there's something wrong with the 48" 6 bulb fixture. We used to sell a lot of these at the LFS until every one started bringing them back. The ballasts would blow within weeks or even days, sometimes they were even packed with bad bulbs. After about 6 customers brought them back we stopped carrying them. I do however like the other models, like the 30" and the 36". I don't know what it is about that 48" Pro, but I've never had anyone return any of the other models.
 
nfored;3738566; said:
Can I grow medium light plants with this 55 gallon 48x12x21? I was pretty sad to see that its just barley more then the 4 T8's I had


Four 48" 40 Watt T8's 160 watt and around 1100 Lumens 2300 Lumens each

Four 36" 39 Watt T5HO 156 Watt and like 1300 Lumens. 3200 Lumens each

I though t5ho kicked T8's butt? but I hardly call 82 LPW for the T5HO compared to 57 LPW a butt kicking. I could just add one extra T8 and have the same output.
Click to expand...

You are comparing 48" T8 with 36" T5HO? Wouldn't you want to go with 48" T5HO for a 48" tank?

A 48" 2x54w T5HO should be more than you need for medium light plants in a 55g.
 
^^x2

Why are you comparing different length fixtures? It makes no sense

equivalent length (48") T5HO bulbs are around 4500-5000 lumens, 54 watts

50% more lumens per watt is impressive, I think. Nothing like comparing flourescent to incandescent though.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/lighting/21052-comparison-lighting-types-lumens-watts.html

T12 or T8 fixtures generally have terrible reflectors, while any decent T5HO fixture will have individual aluminum reflectors


Lumens is therefore a poor measurement of actual light intensity. A lot more of the light from a fixture with good reflectors is redirected into the tank.

A 2x54W will provide more than enough light.





The lighting you have should work fine, though. Unless you plan to add pressurized CO2 and start dosing lots of fertilizer it isn't worth upgrading to a T5 fixture.
 
I bought the "Finnex T5 HO 39 watt x 2 light fixture with 6500K bulbs: $89.95 Each" for my 30g and imo it's superior to the Nova Extreme. I do have the "Nova Extreme SLR T-5 48" x 5-1/2" Freshwater; 108 watt", for my 55g but it almost started a fire about a week ago. I fixed it but I am not comfortalbe using it again. I am returning it to Dr. Foster and I placed an order for "Finnex T5 HO 54 watt x 2 light fixture with 6500K bulbs: $99.95 Each".
http://kensfish.com/finnex-t5-light-strips.html
 
Does it have individual reflectors?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom