T5 4 or 6 bulb or MH??

[db366]

So I need lighting, I do not want to use the 400 watt MH that I have. I have seen multiple units for sale ranging from a 6 bulb T5, 4 bulb T5, 2 150w MH with 2 PC actinic, 1 250 with 2 PC actinic. I am really leaning towards T5 over MH mostly because if I were to do MH I would want the 2 150s and the cost of bulb replacement on that would be more than the fixture would cost! So let's see some suggestions, there is a couple great deals out there on both 4 and 6 bulb fixtures, I have a ballast as well so I could get a four and then add two into the canopy as well...

This would be for a 36in tank.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

how deep? or width for that matter. If mh is your choice I would go with led actinic over the pc's IMO
Also what coral are you keeping or plan on keeping.

 

[db366]

Tank is 36Lx18Wx21T

Most fixtures only use T5 or PC actinic, using LED atinic with MH would be a hassle since LED's really don't need to get more than warm and with MH it's gonna get hot.

 

[the-bubonic-one]

I've run my 12 3w led's next to my 2 175mh for six months with no issue but I may be the exception.