Lighting is a big topic. It comes down to space constraints, how much money you have, the look you are after, and the ramifications (heat) that occur.
Metal Halide are the most all around bulb for the livestock you mentioned. T5s are becoming more popular because of lower wattage and less space needed, as well as reduced heat.
I am curious about this same thing. I am going back and forth betwen MH and T%. It is so confusing. I like the MH look better, but the T5's seem more reasonable.
Do you feel they both provide the "required" lighting needed to keep the above mentioned? I would love to get a clam also, but not sure of the lighting those will require.
I did just get a great deal on a HQI, so maybe I should use that along with T5's.
I have both t5 on my 135 and mh on my 150....I first had t5 over my 150 and could grow clam,sps and lps with them....earlier this year i switched the t5 to mh on my 150 i still get good growth but I am seeing better coral polyp extension on my tank.
One thing I did notice is that I ran my t5's for over ten hours while I run my mh for 4 hours and my supplments two hours before and after. to get good growth
One thing with mh is HEAT...in my opinion having a chiller or a portable a/c is a must to keep heat under control.
