5 feet tank lighting

[mozesyap]

I have restarted my planning for my 5 footer.

But right now I cannot decided on my lighting system.

I am thinking of a few options.

1) 2 x 150 Watt MH lighting
2) 4 x T5HO 54 watt
3) ? x LED tubes (NA customs / eco-aquarium LED)
4) ? x LED spotlights ( PAR38 )

MH and T5s are tried and tested, but I am not too keen on the heat that might be produced. MH has the shimmering effect and might allow me to do a deeper tank but it is probably going to be the worst offender in heat output...

And I do not have enough information regarding the LED lights.. Anyone has any comments regarding this?

[EvolutionZ]

Whats the height of your tank? if its taller then 2ft.. i think MH is the only light that will grow creeping plants well.

[bossteck]

Evo is right. The discussion will go round in circles if you can't decide on tank height and type of plants first.

[mozesyap]

Hi Evo and Eric,

I am still planning. But tank height is most likely to be 2 feet. If eventually I decide on MH, I might increase it, height is not really a priority.

As for my plants, not finalize, but here's an initial list

Foreground
Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba"
"Hair Grass - Echinodorus tenellus"

Drift wood
Bolbitis heudelotii
Mini Pellia
Flame Moss
"Willow moss"

Mid ground
Blyxa japonica
Micranthemum micranthemo
Cryptocoryne balansae
Cryptocoryne wendtii "brown"
Aunbias (Nanas)


Background
Rotala rotundifolia
and others, havent decide.

It is definitely going to be a high tech tank with chiller and CO2 injection, so MH is not really out for me.
But I would rather there be less heat because this is in my living room, heat from 2 MH lights and a chiller might get pretty irritating when both are working hard.

Hope someone with MH and chiller can also give some comments on their experience.