lighting a 36x18x18 reef

[drdsanders]

I have an all-glass 50gal tank (not 55gal) Its 36" long, 18" wide, and 18" tall. I'm planning on keeping mostly softies and LPS corals. Im NOT going to do a Halide/HQI lighting set up. I'm looking into the following retrofit kits:

A T5HO set up. 4x39w for a total output of 156watts

A VHO set up. 3x95w for a total output of 285watts

A Power Compact set up. 2x96w for a total output of 192watts

The cost of all three are about $300
Which lighting set up do you guys suggest?
Are SPS corals possible with any of these set ups for my tank size?

[Casey]

I love the T5s maybe some lower light demanding SPS would color up nicely for you.

[Loverotties]

I have the PC plus moon and I'm happy.

[drdsanders]

i think i have it narrowed down to 2 options.
1) T-5 HO (t5 tek) 6 bulb hood. 234watts total
2)150w hqi/192w pc hood (current usa outer orbit)

I think with the hqi set up i have the option of placing corals requireing more light (sps) directly under the bulb, and can place corals requiring less light (softies,lps) away from the direct light. This allows the option of keeping both higher and lower light corals in the same tank.

Will the 6 t5HO bulbs be enought for sps corals, and if so will be too much for lower light corals?

[jdbassin]

The hqi/pc would be ideal for sps and the softies can be placed low and will adjust, Though in your original post you said you were NOT going to do a halide set up. lol


jd