Time to decide on some lights!

[awol]

Hey all-
Time to budget some lights for my system.
It's a standard 125g 6' long tank. (72x16x22) I plan on keeping LPS and SPS along with the fish.
I was considering making my own light setup. Is there any merit to making a 3 light system with 175W on the outside and a single 250W in the middle? I figure the more demanding corals could be put in the middle and the ones that want less light can go on the outside. I can keep a larger variety, but not have quite as much heat / energy use as 3x250W bulbs. Feel free to give me feedback on this idea.
I plan to add some T5s and Lunar LEDs or something to supplement the MHs.
What brand of MHs are good?
Thanks for looking!
-Awol

 

[ereefic]

If it were me, I would just go with 3-175w MH's and some VHO or T-5 actinic supplemantation. Especially if your going with a DSB in the tank. The Iwasaki 175w 15k's (I think) are supposed to be very close in output to a 250. Actinics should help make the overall color a little nicer.
I've generally used PFO Magnetic ballasts in the past and never had a problem, decent prices. I'm using my first Icecap electronic ballast now (got a good deal on it) and it works just as well.