2 Days to decide on lighting upgrade. Please help

[Salty Marine]

24" Nova Extreme 4 x 24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar (Current)

24" Nova Extreme 4 x 24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar $170 shipped

or

24" 130W (2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture - 501011


24" 130W (2-65 watt) Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture $82 shipped

or

20" 298W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version) - 504002


20" 298W Metal Halide System (Electronic Version) $170 shipped

I am poor and prefer to spend as little as possible but I want lighting that is good enough to upgrade my tank to support corals and clams why still providing the best viewing and power efficency. I have been told that since I dont run a canopy to go with the t5s but I need some input before I spend the cash. I also use a full glass hood if that makes a difference and I want as low an electric bill as possible.

[Salty Marine]

Well I was gonna wait for input but I went ahead and bought the 24' Nova Extreme 4x24W T5 HO w/2 Lunar since I also was buying a new glass canopy from thatfishplace anyways. I also thru in a Aqualight Power center and got it all shipped 3 day fedex saver for $235. I guess Santa will be coming to my house early this year.

[Matt Rogers]

That looks pretty nice and should work pretty well on a 44 gallon tank. Although is your tank 22" tall? If so, not a huge deal, put really give some thought to where you place things vertically within the aquarium.

And in my experience, not all clams are the same by a long shot, really do your homework if you want clams.. I borrowed this book from Gresham that was awesome. I think it's posted in the book board, let me see... nope (please write a review) , here it is:

Amazon.com: Giant Clams: A Comprehensive Guide to the Identification and Care of Tridacnid Clams: Books: Daniel Knop

[Bruce]

I think that you will be happy with the t-5 system. I do agree with Matt about clams. I would really do homework on those buggers. I had one "happy" for almost one year under PC lighting and then one day it just died...

[Salty Marine]

Clams will be the last addition I make and may never even enter my tank depending what choices I make between then and now. As always I try and put a lot of effort in developing a preferred plan but I know that availability and impulse will cause me to revise it after every stocking choice. The 22x22x24 is LxWxH, My tank is 24" tall and I will post some pics when I get my Camera back so you can see it's progress.

Here is a picture of its shape: 44 Pentagon master kit

It's not an ideal tank but I will make up for it's shortcomings with effort and attention on my part.