T5 v MH or ?? (new tank build)

[mineko012]

Hi guys ... I'm still new to reefing so bear with me.

Some background:

I have the JBJ 12g nano (first generation), with retro-fit lighting, massacred bio ball filtration section (basically gutted), with a hang-on temporary filter. My JBJ was on its last legs for a few months now, and the lighting basically just gave up on me. I had no corals for a while now (tank crashed a while back), but I do have a purple firefish that defied all odds and survived.

Anyway, it's long past time for an upgrade, so here's my lighting question.

I'm looking to get a 30-36g tank, approximately 36x12x16 (no taller than 20"). I'm wondering what kind of lighting I should get? Not sure what I'll be keeping in there. I'll probably start with some soft, some fish, and eventually move on to the harder stuff (clams, sps, lps, etc). Basically I'd like to keep my options open of what I can keep in my tank without having to do a whole lighting overhaul down the road.

So ...

175W - 250W MH?

T5? I'm not entirely sure what these are. I found this kit: http://www.hellolights.com/362x39wtekli.html but I'm not sure what TRU actinic, TRU 10,000K, Actinic+, Aqua Blue+ and Pure Actinic mean.

MH or T5? Or some combination of the two? Or a combination with CFs? So far the only lighting I know for sure I'm getting are moonlight LEDs.

[Geoff]

3' wide tanks are a tough call. MH's will cover a 2' square. so one would not be good coverage and 2 would be to much. i like MH's because of the ripple effect, so i would suggest 2 175w.

T-5's on the other hand come in 3' versions. putting 6-8 of those over the tank would also do the job fine.

G~

[mineko012]

I looked over the hellolights website after reading your post. The 3' 6 T5 light fixture is 15", but in a 36g tank (out of the ones I've seen), 15" is the exact width of the tank. (30g tanks are only 12", and the 4-T5 lights are 11".) I might have to upgrade to a 40g, or just go with the MH route and tweak the landscaping to accommodate the extra lighting. I'll have to discuss with the SO to see which route we'll be taking.

Or I'll have to downgrade to a smaller (~2') tank. If I go the 2' road, should I still go for one 250MH or one 175? And is there one brand of bulb better than the others? Or are they pretty much all the same?

[Geoff]

bulb preference really depends on you. some like the look of higher K bulbs, some do not. when choosing a bulb, try and pick the ones with higher PAR values.

if you were to go with a single bulb, i would prolly go with a 250W. that is a good all around wattage for most tanks less than 24" deep.

G~