confused over first reef light...

Hi all,
Im new at the whole saltwater aquarium deal and had a question about a light fixture I found and wanted. It is a Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixture. It is Found at www.drfostersandsmith.com and its item code is APD-32827 if you want to look at it. Is this a good begginer light or should I skip over it and find the more expensive(not really what it want to hear but oh well). One of the main reasons I was looking at it was because of the price. I already have my tank up and cycling so im trying to get all the stuff im gonna need. As I have said I am new at this and just need a good simple light so any ideas and comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks to all.

 

Which model do you intend on getting? I would recommend the highest wattage (216w) if you intend on making your tank a reef tank. The others are just not enough wattage.
What are the dimensions of your tank. The depth is very important when choosing a light fixture.
Next, do you plan on having a FOWLR system or a Reef?

 

If you are on a budget odyssey have some cheap but good lighting setups
aquatraders.com from mh to t5

 

Hehe.. I just got my MH from aquatraders today... I love love love it;D

 

i have one for my bow front 1 250 mh and 2 actinic lights 36inch
3 week old and cant stop looking at it so goes with out saying i love mine to

 

The cheapest T5 fixture I would go with is a Tek fixture personally. Ultimately it depends what you're planning for. If you think you might want to try your hand at a wide variety of corals out there I wouldn't go anything below a Tek, they are some of the best output for the money.

Of course you get what you pay for with lighting fixtures so spending more money will get you a better fixture but a Tek fixture with good bulbs will let you keep anything from a lighting perspective as long as your placement in the tank is appropriate for the coral.

ReefGeek > Lighting > T5 Fluorescent > Sunlight Supply > Tek Light Fixtures

Keep in mind good quality bulbs are about $20 a piece so make sure you figure that into the cost or subtract from the cost if the bulbs are included.

Although if you really need exactly a 30" fixture like you mentioned there is not that great of a selection out there honestly that I've seen. What size is your tank exactly?

 

my tanks demensions are length= 30.25 in width=12.5 in hight= 17.35 in

 

to be quite honest i dont really know what a FOWLR system is. I've heard of them but dont really know what they are.

 

FishOnlyWithLiveRock

Generally you get what you pay for. There is not reason not to go with a T5 set up. They are becoming better and better all the time. but I would really weigh the pros and cons of each lighting system. If it's all about price then you maybe purchasing something you will grow out of or need to replace

J

 

there are lots of people on here that are very happy with their nova extreme fixtures. i for one dont think you would be doing yourself any harm. sure, teks are very nice, and if you can afford one, go for it, but i would say the novas are the next ones in line. I think that light will be more than adequate for almost anything except maybe some SPS. I would replace the bulbs as soon as you are ready for corals cause i have not heard very many good things about current bulbs.