Metal Halide Questions VS. T5

[lastlight]

I think a lower Kelvin 250w bulb may be overkill at 18"... or at least not NEEDED. I'd never do a single mh over 36" at any rate so I'd do 2 x 150w 14k or 2 x 250w 20k. I think a 36" T5 on either side of the mh's would be nice too so you can view the tank longer than the period of your mh's.

8 T5 bulbs on their own would work very well too.

250w gear is much more versatile as it can be carried over to your next upgrade...