[NATIVEVAMAN]

I think you will find that fixtures like the nova extreme that have one large reflector for all there bulbs is reletively inefficient.Since you have a canopy you are a prime candidate for building your own light fixture.(all you need is a screw driver)There are two types of retro kits on the enclosed link VHO t 5 which is 85 watts for a 48 inch bulb, or ho t5 which 54 watts per 48 inch bulb.
T5HO Retro Kits - DIYReef

[mbhershk]

i just bought this setup and its awsome, my local fish store owner said it is plenty or soft corals. plus he matched the 224.99 price that someone else recommended from a website that sells it at that price....great setup for the $

[wesley6610]

I purchased my 8x54 watt fixture last night as well from Dr. Foster & Smith for $418, but since its on back order until 9/11 I will have to wait. I feel confident about this buy, much more than I did for my Coralife PC unit. I also will be purchasing a Lux meter soon to make sure my coral arrangement is good for the light I will be putting out.

[map95003]

I keep going back and forth every day, I know the recommendation is to get the 8x54 unit but as of now I only plan on keeping soft corals so the 4x54 should be enough...I'm thinking I should just bite the bullet and shell out another $200 and get the 8x54, everyone keep telling me I'll change my mind a few month down the road and wish I had gotten the 8x54. I still have at least a month or so before I'm ready for lighting so let me know how yours workout when you set it up.

On a side note, I just received my ASM G2 Skimmer today, looks good...can't wait to get the tank all setup. I still have to get a return pump and build the fuge.

I'll post pics of my build (so far) soon.

[map95003]

Hey Native, I would love to build my own, especially if I could go with the individual reflectors you recommended. However, all the retro kits out there are pretty pricy, you would think if you're DIYing it you would save some $$. The one you recommended is nice but it doesn't include the UV protective glass nor the fans and housing (which is not that big of a deal) but it cost $140 more than the 4x54 nova unit.

Since my tank is "in-wall" it's the perfect oportunity to DIY my lighting, I just can't seem to find a good retro kit for under $350, I might as well add another $60 and get the 8x54 nova....what do u guys think?

[jimw369]

If you become serious about your saltwater tank (I know you think you are now but just wait) You will want a better light in 6 mos. The little extra money now will seem trivial to you. And if you get even more serious after that your car payment if you have one will seem much smaller.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by map95003

Hey Native, I would love to build my own, especially if I could go with the individual reflectors you recommended. However, all the retro kits out there are pretty pricy, you would think if you're DIYing it you would save some $$. The one you recommended is nice but it doesn't include the UV protective glass nor the fans and housing (which is not that big of a deal) but it cost $140 more than the 4x54 nova unit.

Since my tank is "in-wall" it's the perfect oportunity to DIY my lighting, I just can't seem to find a good retro kit for under $350, I might as well add another $60 and get the 8x54 nova....what do u guys think?

If you ask a lot of reefers they would say to plan and stick within your budget. It is not un-heard of to upgrade your lighting later on down the road even if its within the same year. Remember you can always re-sell on this forum or eBay to off-set some of your cost. I would say if you budgeted for the 4x54, then get that and if later on you do wish you had of got the 8x54 and want other corals, then plan and budget for that at that time.

[wesley6610]

Originally Posted by jimw369

If you become serious about your saltwater tank (I know you think you are now but just wait) You will want a better light in 6 mos. The little extra money now will seem trivial to you. And if you get even more serious after that your car payment if you have one will seem much smaller.

I can definitely agree with that

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I would say "bite the bullet" and do it right the first time.If the budget doesnt match right now wait till it does.What makes the price difference is electronic ballasts and VHO lights.Trust me they are worth waiting for.

[wesley6610]

I have been checking out the Aquactinics website and other single reflector systems periodically after I purchased my Nova 432 W T5 system and still can't seem to determine if my softy tank and few LPS corals will really benefit from that much focused light. I don't want to give them too much and with my 4-6" sand bed it will be more like 16" or less that the light needs to penetrate; is there really going to be a coral health difference between individual and single reflector? I know everyone has preferences, but I wanted as close to unbiased opinions.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You should be just fine with that.

[wesley6610]

Thanks Dale, I really appreciate all the time you have taken to express your opinions and why. I think that once I switch over to my 120 Gallon Wide tank in about 2 years I will go for the IceCap version with the 7 SLR T5 setup.

[wesley6610]

After a quick week of ordering/waiting, here are some of the pics of my new fixture. I think I want some more blue so I might get another actinic to replace one of the 6000 K or 10000 K bulbs.

[map95003]

Hey Wesley, looks pretty nice. Which light system is that again, also include the specs if you don't mine?

[wesley6610]

I got a lighting system from Aquactinics, the TX5 model that has 5 individual relectors for T5 HO bubls. It puts out 270 watts I believe, but the bulbs aren't included and no moon lights. I know that sucks and all, but after looking at my tank today with the new lights on, it is so worth it. Thanks NATIVEMAN for all your help. I have ordered my supplemental moon lights from this guy off ebay so that should arrive sometime this week. I have 2 Geiseman Pure actinic bulbs, 2 6000 K Midday bulbs and 1 UVL 10,000 K bulb. I put this kit together on the DIYReef.com Reef Aquarium Lighting and Supplies - DIYReef website, check it out.

[map95003]

Thanks Wesley, looks nice. How much do they $$? I'm considering the Nove Extreme 8x54...but it's a single reflector.

[wesley6610]

After shipping cost to MD it costs me $489 with the 5 bubls and shipping, so even though its $70 more than the Nova and without moonlights, it is so worth it. All of my corals were out and attentive today and seemed to love the extra light that the individual reflectors provided. I was torn between the two fixtures too, but believe me it is worth the extra $70 and extra cost for the moonlights.

[map95003]

Thanks Wesley. Really appreciate it, I've been going back and forth on these 2 fixtures myself over the last few weeks. I'm not ready for lighting as yet as I'm still building the stand (inwall) for my tank. But if I could work on my basement over the next 2 wknds I should be ready for lighting by the end of October. I'll check back with you before I make the purchase.

[wesley6610]

Well my suggestion to you would be that if you are building your tank in wall, you shouldn't get a fixture, but instead build a canopy and install individual reflectors for whatever type of lighting option you choose. If your good with your hands to build the stand, a canopy should be a walk in the park for you. The kits come with everything you need except bulbs, means electronic ballasts, reflectors and wiring diagrams that aren't that involved from what I hear. Try this link: https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...4ad841caf1c2f9 or https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...4ad841caf1c2f9.

Question, what kind of corals are you planning on keeping in your tank?

[Jason L]

IMO the SunLight Supply t5 8 54 watt is the best on the market. That is what I came up with. you get what you pay for in this world

[NATIVEVAMAN]

the tek light fixtures all have two things in common.One reflector for all bulbs which is a great waste of light.Any fixture with a single lamp reflector is better.
The reflectors have a reputation for getting permanent stains.
Oh and i forgot the oil or tar filled ballast....not good.

[blind1993]

or he could make an individual fixture with the work horse 5 ballast and spend the 200 he has in his range and get the same out put. and if he wants to upgrade it wont hurt his pocket since he can add to it.

[wesley6610]

That is an option too, but until he decides what he wants to keep in the tank and what king of saltwater setup it will be, the lighting decision remains very inconclusive at this point.

[Tonz of fun]

The Nova has one reflector but it is bent in a way that each bulb has its own section of a reflector. I think the Nova is the best fixture for the money

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Greg,ill make a bet with you. I will bet that if you put the light that that wes bought and that 8 bulb unit over the same tank and measured the light reaching the bottom of the tank Wes's light will put more down there,and its only got 5 bulbs not 8.And that a year from now he will have saved enough on electricity to make up the difference in cost.