Help me buy lights!!!

Was influenced by coldshot's threads and decided to post here for some advice.

Basically im looking for a complete t-5 lighting system for a 50 gallon 36"x18"x18" tank. I plan to eventually go with softies for this aquarium. (Already have some Zoa's and now a GSP in here). I currently have a HO flourescent setup which has 2 daylight bulbs and 2 actinic bulbs.

So far i like the Current Nova Extreme Pro im wondering if this may be overkill for the plans i have for this system. Any suggestions and advice would be really appreciated.

I cannot use metal halide due to heat because i live in the Caribbean (and i have yet to purchase a chiller( they are about 600 usd for a 1/10 hp unit down here) as a result i don't want to fry my current polyps with a metal halide fixture so i limited myself to a t-5 fixture.

My budget is around 300 usd

thanks in advance...

 

The 36" TEK unit is at marine depot for 319.99 (only $20 past your budget). You could probably shop around and find it even cheaper. Would be a much better unit than the Nova.
Your going to want a unit with individual reflectors for each bulb.

 

have no problem going with teks but add 80$ for bulbs and 80$ for a stand and then the price gets rediculous. I thought the nova extreme pro had individual reflectors...

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewI...tegory=FILTFIT5T5&category=_<20in_Units&tab=2

 

No, they have a reflector that contour's to the individual bulbs Be careful of tricky wordplay

 

marinedepot is a bit overpriced on their lighting fixtures, how far over are you willing to go over budget?

Sent you a pm Limerboy

 

damn didint realise that...i see on "other" forums they have nothign but praise for this particular fixture though, all in all im very confused atm lol

 

The other negative about the Nova Extreme Pro is that the reflectors are short, they don't run the entire length of the bulb. I would go with the tek, it is a very good compromise between high end models and the lower end models.

 

so the tek system with the 4 lights is a much better product than the nova extreme pro which has 6 bulbs?

 

i dont have expierence with either. but i know tek is a quality fixture.

i think either fixture i will allow you to have your soft corals.

 

buildyouraquarium.com - Aquarium Lights, Metal Halides, T5 HO Solar Metal, Halide Retro, Retro Fits, Power Compacts aquarium lighting,aquarium light,aquarium lights reef aquarium lighting,marine aquarium lighting,metal halide aquarium lighting,saltwa
Check here. the light's are made here in the states and the individual german reflector's go the length of the bulb I have heard from some user's here state the light's are great and very affordable, the only down side is the bulb's are'nt as great as they want them to be but you could save and get new ones down the road. I do not know who makes these light's but I am considering a set of the 6 bulb my self....Good Lucj
Danny