Then buy a used T5 4 bulb fixture (?$), new bulbs (~$100-120), and look online for a retrofit kit for blue LEDs.

The tank is 90 cm wide x 40 cm high x 42 cm deep

Tec Light
 

I have a 4 ft 4 bulb Tec Light Fixture (no noisy fans but well vented) I bought from J & L a few years ago for $175. before taxes. I will sell it for $75.00. I hope it fits - not sure with 90 cm being 48"

AquaAddict

Sounds like it could be a bit big, does that kind of light hang from the ceiling? I'll measure it out tonight. Thanks for offering!

Your tank is 36x16x16 which is a stock 40 breeder....

I've had the same tank before...
With the budget of $300 I would suggest getting an led light off eBay and 2 t5 strips running Ati blue plus. That should bring your budget to $330ish with the bulbs.

Johns plant factory or Garden effects sells the sunblaster t5ho lights with reflectors but genarally any grow shop around you should carry these slim t5ho fixtures, just call around and get them to price match. Around $50 per unit.

Get a dimmable light with more blue LEDs for your main lights for around $150

So with t5 bulbs if I bought a 4 bulb fixture I want to run daylight and blue? Plus the blue LEDs?

3 blue plus and 1 coral plus if you run a 4 bulb fixture.

You could run 4 t5ho or 2 t5ho and a led fixture like this...
http://m.ebay.com/itm/Dimmable-165W-...257Ciid%253A24

You have to take into perspective of bulb replacement I am not sure how much the t5 are to replace but if they're $25 a pop then in less than 2 years the led would've paid itself off... led t5 combo you can't go wrong, shimmer and spread!