T5 lighting, what should i do??

S

sparky5785

New member
Ok let me set this up and give everyone the background info so maybe someone can help me make a decision I've been struggling with for a while. I have a 40 gal apprx. acrylic tank 36"Lx15"Wx16"H 3 months old. My light fixture is a Current USA Nova Extreme 4x39w t5 with individually contoured (not slr) reflector. The bulbs are the stock current bulbs 2x10k and 2x460nm. The tank and fixture were both bought used so the bulbs are of unknown age. I would like to keep in this tank softies, zoas, palys, shrooms, btas, and maybe some lps. I would like to make sure I have the proper lighting to keep these organisms. So would I be ok with this fixture and just upgrade to ATI bulbs? Should I get a ATI Sunpower 4x39? Or maybe a TEK Light Elite 6x39w? I have searched and priced things out here's what is available to me currently.

Keep my Nova Extreme and upgrade to ATI bulbs. $82

I found a used 4x39w sunpower with 3 month old ATI bulbs. $360

Or reef geeks has the 6x39w TEK light elite w/ choice of any bulbs they carry. $400

Please let me know what you guys think I'm going around in circles with this and can't figure out what is the best route to go.
 
If the fixture works, just get bulbs for now, it's not an ATI, but with good bulbs it will work just fine.

I'd suggest 2 blue+, 1 purple+ and a kz new generation 14k or ATI aquablue special 12k. This is what I ran on my old 4 bulb fixture and loved the color.

I have no experience with the coral+ bulbs to recommend them but they are supposed to be a great bulb from what I hear.
 
sparky5785 said:
Even though no individual reflectors? And you have a 6 bulb because its deeper and taller??
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The contoured reflectors are still better than a flat shield, the nova extreme is a good fixture. I went with the 6 bulb to run 2 true actinics for extra color. The 4 bulb I had before did a great job over my tank but it had individual parabolic reflectors. Light spread was great with the 4 bulb with the 24" depth and height.
 
Well the good thing is that's the cheapest option so I'm one little step closer to the 120 or 150. LOL. I ay still keep my eyes out for a used Nova extreme pro 6 bulb if one comes along that is cheap maybe ill pull the trigger. Question do you run moonlight's at all? Or are they over rated?
 
They are built so compact and the huge reflectors don't allow any room to add moonlights internally. I'm considering retrofitting moonlights to my SunPower if I end up not liking the actinics on at 1-3%
 
For my four ATI bulbs I want to order, 2 blue plus 1 aquablue special and one purple plus sound good? What about the new coral plus? Do you know the best place to buy them?
 
sparky5785 said:
For my four ATI bulbs I want to order, 2 blue plus 1 aquablue special and one purple plus sound good? What about the new coral plus? Do you know the best place to buy them?
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What I understand, the coral+ is a 50/50 bulb mixing aquablue 12k and blue+, but adds a little output in the red range like a touch of purple+ added in.

Reefgeek or our sponsor Premium Aquatics are both excellent sources for bulbs.

I would suggest since you are already paying the shipping, might not be a bad idea to just buy a kz new gen 14k and ATI coral+ as well then you can mix and match to find that just right color for your tank, and have good spare bulbs on hand just in case.
 
Most popular is definitely the 2 blue+ and 1 purple+. The daylight bulb you choose is usually personal preference.
 
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