buying new lighting

Where would you recommend purchasing new lighting? I am not real sure what I want but I am converting my 55 gal fw to sw and I would like to know the best site for this. I am looking to spend between 250 - 300 probably some type of T5.. my current 40 gallon only has PCs so I def want something a little better.

 

check out reefgeek or aquacave

 

Good one Annie...
Keep surfing. I always fall into deals.
If you see a hood, ask on here before you buy it and see if you hear any bad reviews. That, or google the name and reed other forums. I do it for everything I buy. I found that some lighting was prone to catching peoples houses on fire. Some hd ballast issues and I have a friend who keeps having problems with his current T5 or PC / Metal Hadide hood. His ballasts keep burning out on the Metal Halides.
I have found it better to retro your own with Ice Cap ballasts. (IMO)

 

heres 3 that I would consider
TEK LIGHT T-5, 48" Light Fixture 4 x 54W lamps by Sunlight Supply* - AquaCave

Current USA 48" Sundial T-5 Fixture 4x54W + LED* - AquaCave

NOVA Extreme 48" T-5 Fixture 4 x 54W by Current USA* - AquaCave

out of the 3 which one would you recommend. ( I dont really know much about the lighting so any help would be appreciated)

 

tek is probably the best out of the 3, followed by the nova extreme

 

i have the nova and love it but they say the tek is much better, i have the 6x54 nova which will fit on a 55

 

MAKE SURE IT FITS............................

I JUST BOUGHT A CORALIFE AQUALITE PRO 48" FOR MY 55 GAL. ITS A LITTLE TOO BIG. GREAT LIGHT. JUST TOO BIG.

 

I am in agreement with the TEK unit. Nova Extremes are OK.....but just OK. TEKs are solid units. ATI is even better....and more expensive. Here are my two links.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/Powermodule_Fixtures/48_inch__4x54W_Powermodule_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/Sunlight_Supply/Tek_Light_Fixtures/48_inch__4x54W_Tek_Light_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_(Black)_by_Sunlight_Supply

Both prices reflect bulbs included, however, with the TEK, you need to buy a splash guard (needed IMO) and either legs or hanging aparatus.

 

Totally agree, I am an avid MH user and switched to T5's. The Nova's are decent enough but if you do not want to upgrade again go with at least the TEK. I bought a few of the Nova's and am now upgrading to 2 TEK retro's with a MH... this will hopefully be my last upgrade. The Nova fixture's are much better than say fishneedit unit's, but the color is not all that great and the single(not SLR) reflectors are pretty junky IMO.

 

Before getting the lighting, I would suggest looking into getting a good protein skimmer first. I don't mean to be a party pooper, but a skimmer is more critical in the startup of a tank that large IMO. You can keep fish under PC until you save up for better lighting. I'm assuming you don't have a skimmer since it is currently a FW setup.