Anyone tried the new Coralife Aqualight HO fixtures?

[12 Volt Man]

Hello all, has anyone tried these new coralife Aqualight High Output fixtures yet?

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/BigAlsCA/ctl3664/cp57012/si4295014/cl0/aqualighthot5duallampfixture36

I have a 65g planted tank currently with two 30" normal output T5 double strips (72w total) and I was looking to upgrade the lighting. its just not as bright as I expected. I am limited to around 80-90w of power due to my other tanks in my basement, and I was thinking that the high output fixture might be my best bet. the link I posted is the saltwater version, but I believe these new fixtures come in a freshwater version as well (1 6700k, 1 colormax).

will 78w of hight output lighting be worth the upgrade over 72w of normal output?

any experiences? thanks.


here is a pic of the tank currently.

[12 Volt Man]

you can see that the T5 30" light fixtures do not give that great coverage over the 36x18" tank. I think I definately need something that is at least as long as the tank.

[dundadundun]

i just picked up the 36" nova extreme t5 with slr 2 bulb freshwater fixture from drs foster and smith myself. i must say i'm very pleased and the fixture looks great atop my aquarium. i picked up 2 6700k bulbs extra to go with it, all for like $116 shipped. so far i think it's a great price on a great product... http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+16770&pcatid=16770

[echoofformless]

I would say the Nova fixtures are the better item in this case based on the individual reflectors. When it comes to high output T5 lighting, reflectors are of the utmost importance.

[FSM]

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCatalog/ctl3664/cp57012/si2949165/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_36_2x39w_t5_10000k__fresh water?&path=c3664-def-CAD-16667%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q6e6f76652065787472656d65~~c3664-def-CAD-17307%23%232%23%23i~~nc3664-def-CAD-57012%23%230%23%23h&query=nove+extreme&hits=12&offset= (http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCatalog/ctl3664/cp57012/si2949165/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_36_2x39w_t5_10000k__fresh water?&path=c3664-def-CAD-16667%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq6e6f76652065787472656d65%7E%7Ec3664-def-CAD-17307%23%232%23%23i%7E%7Enc3664-def-CAD-57012%23%230%23%23h&query=nove+extreme&hits=12&offset=)

sold out, but it's a better fixture for less money.

[dundadundun]

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCatalog/ctl3664/cp57012/si2949165/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_36_2x39w_t5_10000k__fresh water?&path=c3664-def-CAD-16667%23%23-1%23%23-1~~q6e6f76652065787472656d65~~c3664-def-CAD-17307%23%232%23%23i~~nc3664-def-CAD-57012%23%230%23%23h&query=nove+extreme&hits=12&offset= (http://www.bigalsonline.ca/StoreCatalog/ctl3664/cp57012/si2949165/cl1/current_usa_nova_extreme_36_2x39w_t5_10000k__fresh water?&path=c3664-def-CAD-16667%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq6e6f76652065787472656d65%7E%7Ec3664-def-CAD-17307%23%232%23%23i%7E%7Enc3664-def-CAD-57012%23%230%23%23h&query=nove+extreme&hits=12&offset=)

sold out, but it's a better fixture for less money.
that's the same fixture i posted, only for more than i paid with 2 extra bulbs and shipping. check the drs foster and smith link above.

EDIT: and they're still in stock...

[12 Volt Man]

which ever fixture I get, I will be buying from the LFS as they have all the nova, coralife etc fixtures. I just have to decide which one..

do the Nova Extreme fixtures have to be mounted on legs? most of the time when I see them on tanks they sit directly on the glass tops.

these new coralife fixtures seem to be sitting quite high on the legs that they come with...

thanks for any responses.

[shewolfgeo]

I don't think the nova fixtures have to be mounted on the legs.

[12 Volt Man]

^
it could be because I believe they have a built in fan.

[dundadundun]

the 2 bulb fixture doesn't have a fan... the 4 bulb does. i wouldn't put it up without the legs but i guess it could be done.

[Slappy*McFish]

My 2 bulb Nova Extreme HO fixture has a fan. I don't use the legs either.

[12 Volt Man]

How noisey is the fan? I have heard many complain that the Nova fan is noisey, which sort of has me leaning towards the coralife HO unit..

[Slappy*McFish]

It's definitely audible from across a quiet room. Kind of a high pitched whirling sound. Much like a noisy computer fan.

[12 Volt Man]

good to know. thanks.

[FSM]

double bulb fixtures don't have fans.



that's the same fixture i posted, only for more than i paid with 2 extra bulbs and shipping. check the drs foster and smith link above.

EDIT: and they're still in stock...

he lives in canada, that's why I linked to canadian big als.

[Slappy*McFish]

As I said, I don't know about the Coralife fixture, but my Nova Extreme 2-bulb fixture does indeed have a fan.

[echoofformless]

My two bulb Nova has no fan, and I don't use legs. No problems for over a year now.

[dundadundun]

he lives in canada
doh! :duh: shipping might be a little more from drs foster and smith, huh?

my Nova Extreme 2-bulb fixture does indeed have a fan.
hmmm... old model possibly? i just got mine maybe a month back tops and while there's a grid on the side there's definitely no fan.

[Slappy*McFish]

Mine is a little over 2 years old I guess. It has two cords. One for the lights and one for the fan. I just bought some new Coralife 6700K 54W T5HO bulbs for it at Petco. They were on clearance for $7.50 each. They normally have them listed for $29.99 but are discontinuing them. I snatched those suckers up.

[Slappy*McFish]

I also have the 48" 2X54W fixture. Maybe only the 48" fixtures have the fan?

[mellowvision]

The 2010 new model of Current USA 36" Nova Extreme with the individual reflectors and 2 bulbs, does not have a fan. Looks like most of Current's models changed this year.

I just got one myself, and love it.