20" Sunpod 150w MH .VS 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5

[xenon]

Let me start off by saying that both fixtures are fantastic in their own way. Both have pros and cons and one is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on your own personal preferences.

20" Sunpod 150w MH

Pros
- Light is more intense
- White LED and blue LED moonlights
- You get the shimmer effect with MH

Cons:
- Light is too concentrated in the center
- It gives off way more heat
- No actinics (This was the deal breaker)

20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5

Pros
- The light is spread more evenly
- Barely any heat at all
- VERY blue actinics (Love it!)

Cons:
- No LED moonlights
- No shimmer effect
- Light is less intense overall
- No other manufactures make 18" T5 bulbs

Sunpod on the left. Nova Extreme Pro on the right.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures1.jpg

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures2.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro actinics
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/bulbs1.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro daytime
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/bulbs2.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/bulbs3.jpg

Here is what they both look like over my 29g biocube. No colors have been enhanced/photoshoped or altered in any way. I simply snaped the pic and cropped it down to 800x600.

Sunpod 150w MH with standard Current USA bulb.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/sunpod.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/novaextreme.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro actinics.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/actinic.jpg

I was expecting the color spectrum of the Nova Extreme Pro to very white. To my surprise it was the perfect amount of blue IMO. I will be adding some moonlights somehow because I can't live without them. If you haven't figured it out by now I will be keeping the Nova Extreme Pro. :D

[TXAlbert]

Thank you for a great comparison. I've been torn over which one of the above two fixture to pick for my new 30 cube. I think this kind of settles it for me, in favor of the MH's, though. I just can't do without them shimmer lines :)

Once again, your time and effort is much appreciated, thank you.

[Justinandkrista]

wow way beter color with the T5 i like it alot.

[Justinandkrista]

could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421097#post13421097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justinandkrista
could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

No problem.

I will post a pic of how each fixtures looks like on the tank. :D

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421070#post13421070 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by AlbertoMexico
Thank you for a great comparison. I've been torn over which one of the above two fixture to pick for my new 30 cube. I think this kind of settles it for me, in favor of the MH's, though. I just can't do without them shimmer lines :)

Once again, your time and effort is much appreciated, thank you.

You could always get some bright white LED lights to generate the shimmer effect. I will be looking into that shortly.

http://www.current-usa.com/powerbrite.html

[xenon]

Because the Nova Extreme Pro does not have any moonlight I added two Coralife 1w LED moonlights to the rear corners of my tank.

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/moonlight1.jpg

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/moonlight2.jpg

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/moonlight3.jpg

[jackson6745]

Thanks for the comparison. I'm sure many will find this helpful.
I think the overall color of the T5's and the blend of the lighting looks much better. I wish sunpod made a 20" halide fixture that had a couple actinics built in. That would be the perfect option.

I just wanted to add that I love your rocks and the aquascaping. That nano has a ton of potential.

What camera are you using for you photos?

[scram2]

the t5s look way better nice tank by the way:) thats the reason i dont like sunpods they dont have anything but the MH. I went with the current MH with t-5s:) got both of the great lights in it!

[melanotaenia]

current makes the outer orbit line with actinics but no 20" model

[Rosseau]

Nice.

I saw your OVAS listing for the Sunpod, but like you, I would want some actinic supplementation in there too !

Had you been running a chiller on this tank?

[trueperc]

I also saw you add on Ovas and was actually considering it sadly until I read this. As the one reason I was going for was to reduce the heat issue with the standard aquapod hood. So it looks like I will be going with Nova. Heat is a big issue with these nanos. Thanks for the conparison.

[purpleGODZILLA]

It would be great if there are par readings for both.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421372#post13421372 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jackson6745
Thanks for the comparison. I'm sure many will find this helpful.
I think the overall color of the T5's and the blend of the lighting looks much better. I wish sunpod made a 20" halide fixture that had a couple actinics built in. That would be the perfect option.

I just wanted to add that I love your rocks and the aquascaping. That nano has a ton of potential.

What camera are you using for you photos?

I agree 100%.

The ultimate setup would be a Sunpod with actinics.

I am using a really crappy Canon SD850IS PnS cam.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13422328#post13422328 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by purpleGODZILLA
It would be great if there are par readings for both.

I can get my hands on a LUX meter but nobody I know has a PAR meter.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421927#post13421927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Rosseau
Nice.

I saw your OVAS listing for the Sunpod, but like you, I would want some actinic supplementation in there too !

Had you been running a chiller on this tank?

No chiller was required. My temps were stable at 80.

I doubt my heater turned on very often though.

[CamBarr]

great thread!!!!

[CamBarr]

what is the depth of the bio cube 29 gal?

[Poorcollegereef]

What is the Kelvin rating for the MH? How would a 10k,14k or 1 20k in comparison with the t5? Also, besides the par/lux ratings, maybe a temp comparison. Such as ambient room temp, photo period, low temp, and peak temp. Just some thoughts, but great comparison so far!

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421097#post13421097 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justinandkrista
could you take a pic of the fixture over the tank?

Nova Extreme Pro
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures3.jpg
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures5.jpg

Sunpod
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures4.jpg
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/fixtures6.jpg

[kyman2391]

What are the actinics lights for?

[Justinandkrista]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13421001#post13421001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
Let me start off by saying that both fixtures are fantastic in their own way. Both have pros and cons and one is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on your own personal preferences.

Sunpod 150w MH with standard Current USA bulb.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/sunpod.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro daytime and actinics.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/novaextreme.jpg

Nova Extreme Pro actinics.
http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/actinic.jpg

I was expecting the color spectrum of the Nova Extreme Pro to very white. To my surprise it was the perfect amount of blue IMO.

Thx for the pics on the fixture over the tank. I have seen alot of threads asking what light upgrade for the bc29 the 4.36 or the sunpod and once this nova pro came out i keep mentioning it but i got laughed at. I think your the first one to take the plung into this new fixture. I would much rather have T5. I think the color is great and your tank looks awesome with it. Gj

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13424401#post13424401 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kyman2391
What are the actinics lights for?

The color mainly i think, iv also heard the corals grow beter with that light spectrum.

[Memeber007]

Tank looks much better under sunpod when you switch to 20k bulb, instead of 14k.

[cirujano]

Where's a good online place to buy a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13428287#post13428287 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cirujano
Where's a good online place to buy a 20" Nova Extreme Pro 6x18w T5.

http://www.marinedepot.com

[Justinandkrista]

ebay to

[apt220]

Thanks for posting this comparison. I currently have the Sunpod 150W MH over my 30g, but I was thinking of getting the T5 for the summer time to reduce heat.

Keep us updated with growth under those T5s!:thumbsup:

[robster]

I take it those are NO T5's not HO T5's?

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13484388#post13484388 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robster
I take it those are NO T5's not HO T5's?

They are T5 HO

http://www.current-usa.com/nova_extreme_pro

[robster]

Interesting. I didn't realize they made HO T5's bulbs smaller than 24". Does anyone else make 18" T5's other than Current?

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13486915#post13486915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by robster
Interesting. I didn't realize they made HO T5's bulbs smaller than 24". Does anyone else make 18" T5's other than Current?

This light fixture is very new. Current is the only one that makes 18" T5HO bulbs.

I really hope other bulb manufactures start making some.

[BADGUS]

I just ordered 6 bulbs to make a retrofit T5 on my BC29,i really wanna keep the stock hood.Wish me luck ;)

[bigj11]

Quite possibly the most helpful biocube lighting thread on the internet. I am so thankful someone took the time to compare the two systems. Thanks man and keep up the excellent work! :) :) :) :D :D :D

[ando88]

I have the nova extreme pro for my 29g biocube and love it!

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14171502#post14171502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by bigj11
Quite possibly the most helpful biocube lighting thread on the internet. I am so thankful someone took the time to compare the two systems. Thanks man and keep up the excellent work! :) :) :) :D :D :D

I always appreciate threads like these so I was happy to do one myself.

I recently sold the NEP and picked up the new Aqua Illumination LED fixture with two 90w modules.

I can adjust the color temp from 6,000K - 20,000K and I can also dim the brightness from 0%-100%. They do not generate any heat and I also get a little shimmer effect too!

These modules connect directly to my GHL Profilux controller so I can do some cool things with it. For example: I can setup some lightning storms and the light will slowly dim to 50% and the white LED’s will flash the lightning strikes and the flashes get brighter as the storm gets closer and it gets less intense and the storm passes by.

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/ai1.jpg

http://www.dansouliere.com/pictures/ai2.jpg

[chrishet]

Wow, that is freakin cool!

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14173587#post14173587 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chrishet
Wow, that is freakin cool!

Thanks.

As far as I know I am the only nano reefer that is using this light fixture.

Who else would be crazy to spend this much on a stupid little 29g. lol

[wcollier]

what bulb combination are you running on the T-5?

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14174504#post14174504 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wcollier
what bulb combination are you running on the T-5?

It's not like we have a huge choice of bulbs. These are 18" long T5 bulbs. You have the choice of 10,000K or actinics. The light ships with 3 of each.

[Ricunger]

That is one awesome looking fixture!

[Tyler.L]

hey dan considering im here i will tell you how much i hate you here instead of on ovas.....im getting rossw's 24g aquapod today and im torn between the 2 fixtures but i dunno about that led fixture.....what did it run you anyways probably a pretty penny. so in my boat what you think i should go with halide or t5. I've always liked halide shimmer and just always stayed with them but would like the t5s cause of bulb combos but how long before companies start making 18" bulbs.........so hard to decide!

and corals would be everything you could think of clams, sps, lps so what would you take between the two if you were doing it again....

[xenon]

I owned the 20" sunpod with 150w 14k MH and it generated too much heat. I was forced to ditch it and get the 20" nova extreme pro.

It's a great light and should be no problem for SPS, clams and anemone's. There is very little heat generated and the actinics are gorgeous!

The LED light blows them both out of the water! The price is high but now that I have them I can understand why. It cost me $1809 CAD for the two modules, RS232 cable and duty fee's. I saved 10% because they were on sale and I also saved $60 USD because I did not need the controller.

[lobsterotomy]

Wow, that's quite the upgrade in lighting!! I was going to get one of the AI units instead of the 20" NEP, but the cost became a big barrier especially when compared to the NEP.

AFAIK, there are a bunch of other nano reefers that use the AI unit over their tanks.

[xenon]

It sure would be nice for all the nano reefers that use this lighting system to post up some pics and do a quick review.

I havent seen many reefers use this system, let alone nano reefers.

[ximmortaldeathx]

you should look into the 24" 150W MH systems they sell on ebay for 240.

I just ordered one, the advantage to them over the sunpod which i just sold is that they come with actinics so youll get better coloration, they're basically the same as the outer orbit but without the leds.

good luck choosing.

[MyMonkey]

Not sure of the depth on the 29 but I am planning a 33 gallon cube that is 23 inches tall. (I think) Which would you recommend? The T5 or the MH? Wanted to be sure the T5's will get penetration like the MH will.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14204629#post14204629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ximmortaldeathx
you should look into the 24" 150W MH systems they sell on ebay for 240.

I just ordered one, the advantage to them over the sunpod which i just sold is that they come with actinics so youll get better coloration, they're basically the same as the outer orbit but without the leds.

good luck choosing.

24" light fixtures over a 20" nano tank is fugly IMO.

[xenon]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14204669#post14204669 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MyMonkey
Not sure of the depth on the 29 but I am planning a 33 gallon cube that is 23 inches tall. (I think) Which would you recommend? The T5 or the MH? Wanted to be sure the T5's will get penetration like the MH will.

That would be a good question for the guys in the lighting forum.

If you keep the SPS mounted at the top of your rocks you wont have any issues with the T5.

The sunpod 150w MH has more PAR than the nova extreme pro 6x18w T5 but you may have issues with heat. Then you will need a chiller and for that price you could go with LED and have the best of both worlds. (shimmer effect with no heat!) :D

[ReefCuber]

i have a nove extreme pro 20 inch 6 bulb version in the for sale thread just thought i put t hat out there

[MyMonkey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14205071#post14205071 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by xenon
That would be a good question for the guys in the lighting forum.

If you keep the SPS mounted at the top of your rocks you wont have any issues with the T5.

The sunpod 150w MH has more PAR than the nova extreme pro 6x18w T5 but you may have issues with heat. Then you will need a chiller and for that price you could go with LED and have the best of both worlds. (shimmer effect with no heat!) :D

Good point! I don't mind adding a Chiller if necessary. Although, I do not want the MH to heat up my office either. :mad:

I already have a MH fixture in the hood of the 33 but I had been debating changing over to T5 for a while now. The 20 inch would be perfect. I suppose I will start out with the MH and swap it out if necessary.

Thanks for the thread and replies.

[ReefWreak]

Thanks for sharing a great comparison between the lights. I know I would probably choose the 150w halide with a 14k Phoenix in it over the other choices, but the T5 looked great as well. My problem with the LEDs is that I sincerely believe that they're not ready to meet T5 or halide as far as aquarium lighting yet, and they're really only worth that "cool new gizmo" factor. The fact that you can have it dim throughout the day, have lightening storms, and other assorted special abilities that the LED fixture allows you to do are just more "wowie" factors, but when the fixture has to prove its own with PAR, I'd be interested to see the actual numbers.

The only reason I'm knocking on the LEDs is because someone in our local club bought 2 PFO H series LED fixtures for his big tanks, and was having problems keeping SPS, even though he's a very experienced reefer, and all of his parameters were intact, and he could keep most softies and LPS no problem. Then he tested his PAR on his solaris fixture, and the numbers were abysmal on both fixtures. They were basically outputting the same PAR as a 175w halide with no reflector, and since these were full sized tanks, that explained a lot as far as why they couldn't get any SPS to take without slowly browning away.

Maybe these tanks are small enough that it's not a problem. They really don't need much light for a tank their size, and they're generally shallow enough that depth penetration isn't a big problem. I kept a 24g nanocube for years, most of the time on the stock 2x32w PCs, and I grew everything but Acropora.

Either way great review, and I'm sure many many many more people benefited from this thread than just the ones who commented. Many thanks!

[xlayedoutx]

I have a 24" Solaris I series that I was going to use on my 29g Aquapod. Before it was on my 60g cube 24x24x24. I grew everything including SPS. Great color in the corals. My only complaint with it was I couldn't get the right color I wanted for the look of the tank. It was either too white or too blue. I couldn't get that happy medium and once I had enough blue to make the tank look great it wasn't enough white to color up my corals. Since I downgraded due to a move and found this thread I'm going with the Nova Pro. It's only a matter of time before other companys will make 20" bulbs and I love the fact that I can change out a bulb to get the color I want.

[bigj11]

what do y'all think about the nova fixture and maxima clams? Will a maxima survive under this fixture? Do you need a sunpod metal halide? I need to know!!:(