How important is a full lighting cycle?

[Jaws]

I've been told that having a MH bulb fire on it's own can be a little shocking to some corals because of the intensity. Firing a power compact or two before the MH not only simulates sunrise and sunset but also allows for the coral to adapt to the lighting better. Go with the second one. You know you'll just end up adding on or upgrading to something similar in the future anyways. JMO.