Lighting suggestion - 20 gallon

[Tbenson]

Ok, first post here it goes.

I currently have a 20 gallon set up (24x12x16) with 1 - 65w power compact and 1 - 15w NO florescent that I had sitting around. No canopy so a full fixture is what I am looking for.

Right now I only have some blue striped mushrooms, with a clown and a purple pseudochromis. But I would like to expand slowly, not fish per se but corals.

I am in the search for some new lights for my tank. Kinda stuck to a a budget of 200 to 250.

I have found these lights but not sure which way to go. T5 or PC.

T5 - Link
PC - Link

I would like to start getting more corals but I think I would need to upgrade my light. Does anyone have any sugguestions on which one to go with or any other lights that fit within my budget?

Here is a picture of the current tank.
My 20g

[Jeff]

t-5, the bulbs with reflectors produce less heat, add more par, cheaper bulbs, and bulbs last longer.

[swjim]

^^ x2

Go for the T5s if you can swing them, they'll give you more flexibility in what you can keep.

[Iplantz]

Finnex and Cadlight have 4x24w fixtures for 100$, and I have had good service with finnex.

[Tbenson]

Well from what I see in the responses and googling as much as I can, I think I will go for the t-5, I am trying to avoid the integrated timers as I think its a piece the that can crap out later. Plus I have timers built into my power strip.

Will t-5 allow me to do clams, SPS and LPS? Again I am taking this as slowly as I can, and there seems to be many websites that say yes and no. I know water quality is the most important, but I would love to hear what you guys/girls think.

[ErikH]

I have the sundial and LOVE IT. I only set the timers once, so I imagine as long as you are not fiddling with them, you should be fine. You can grow SPS and clams, but alot of people overdrive the bulbs to produce more PAR and they also use single lamp reflectors to help maximize that. Some people also run custom fans to keep the bulbs cooler, thus prolonging their life. T5s also last 18 months, whereas PCs can start to decline after as short as 3 months.

[brewercm]

I'll be running clams under my T5's and according to Berry from Calms Direct they are fine under them. The key to T5's are the reflectors and cooling, especially the reflectors. Just remember if you overdrive them they will only last you about six to eight months though.