Metal halide's vs T5's vs CF's

[dutchschoon]

I am upgrading my 36 gallon bowfront, to 55 gallon reef, It's full of live rock, some mushrooms and polyp's (and will prolly keep it to the easier to keep of corals etc's)
However, I'm in the market for the a 48" light, and am torn between what to get-
300w (2x150) metal halide's
384w of Compact flourecent's
324w of T5's
The price is on my mind but, wouldn't mind paying a little extra if one of the applications are really worth it. Another question is, ARE T5's a much better product than regular cf's or should I jus step up and get the mh's and be done with it.

 

[nycbob]

go with the mh or t5. t5 is only good if it has individual reflectors. mh can penetrate deeper into the tank, and of course it has that shimmering effect.

 

[wangotango]

Personally I'd go T5ho. A good fixture would let you keep anything you wanted. 4-5 individually reflected bulbs would work fine, the six-bulb Nova Pro would as well if you were using good bulbs.
Halides will give you the nice shimmer. That's just about the only thing they have over the T5 in this situation.
-Justin