Buying Lights Question's

I have about 450.00 left for lights. I want a 6 bulb so I can have more options on what to put in the tank. I would like to go Tek just from what I hear, but the 6 bulb from Tek is 16 inches and my tank is only 12. What else is a good shot that will fit? I can get the Nova Extreme Pro with individual reflectors but dont hear to great of things about them. There is a light at the LFS and it is a 250 or 150 with Actinics but it is only 24 inches long. He said it hangs above the tank and is just right for a 55. I think he is just tryin to sell a light. Would that be enough for this tank and be open for anything I buy? I doubt it but wanted to ask you all about it. It is the Orbit....The Nove extreme pro is still listed on ebay. Should I get it? Is it worth a few hundred? also about 65 or 45 shipping Like some good light input from Tangster and Dr Fragenstien. You two seem to be pretty well lite up with light knowledge. If thing's in my tank will make it with my lighting like it is I could go ATI maybe? next month...(early june) I got some lights that blew my ballast on my Odyssea so everything is under 1 65 watt actinic PC and I dont like the situation as it stand's..
Danny

 

A 24" would be too short IMHO. Maybe a 36", but ideally you want that 48".
I will have to do some searching, and see what any other's have to say. I know PharmJohn is always honest about stuff, and he has been reporting problems with his Nova light.
One important thing I noticed in your post Danny; just so you know, the Nova Extreme Pro does NOT have individual reflector's. They play tricks with the wording on that. It has an individually contoured reflector (meaning it is one reflector that is contoured to each bulb). The difference in PAR values is quite a bit.
From what I have heard of the fixtures (though I have no experience with either), I would probably take a 4 bulb TEK over a 6 bulb Nova.

 

Yup, and I hear there is also a 5 bulb T5 fixture out there that fits a 55 depth, but depending on what you're going to do want to put in there down the road, you want to weigh out your options carefully. If you go MH, you could do 2 sunlight supply reef optix 3 150 watt HQI pendants. They go for around $135 each, plus the ballast.

 

I would really to be open for anything I might want to put in here....
How limited will I be with the Tek 4 bulb?
What bulb's would serve me best?
Danny

 

Have you saw these 5 bulb's on a site?
Do you remember where?
Sound like the 150's would runa chunk when all is said and done
Danny

 

You could probably keep just about any coral if you placed it carefully. The only thing that pops to mind is you might have trouble with some clams.
For bulbs, I like half being actinic UVL's, and the other half being 14000K UVL's. That would go with any fixture

 

Ever hear any feedback on the light's from this site?
Catalina Aquarium
Danny

 

I think I heard one member here say the fixtures were good, but the bulbs were cheap generic knock-offs. Please don't quote me on that though...

The TX5 was the one I was thinking about:
Aquactinics TX5 T5 High Output Fixtures - Salty Critter - Your Saltwater Specialists
YOWZAAAZ $463 without bulbs...

 

Hey Coldshot - check out DIY reef - one of the sponsors of this site
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/index.php?cPath=55_82&osCsid=5087fb894dbf2a04d1ddf1a81776a6f6

390 US without lamps for a 6 x 54 watt Tek T5 - 48 inch (scroll down the page youll find em)

Steve

 

The Tek 6 bulb is to wide for my tank. they are 16 and the tanks 12 I ordered me some lights already....thnx may when there onboard Ill get Little Bear to snap some pics if she will