Metal Halides Vs. T5 HO Lights: Leveling the Playing Field

It seems that I left a few things unsaid.

In reality we are comparing the lamps that provide growth which would be the 250 watt halide vs. the 3 aquablue T5s. The halide doesn't put out the color I like alone, so it is run with four actinic T5s.

MY tank is a 40 gallon breeder.

Sorry for the vagueness.

I run the 14k Ushio.

On an update note: I'm picking up equipment to run 8 T5s over my home tank today. I'm planning on running 4 aquablues, 2 actinics and 2 pure actinics. That should put my space heater halide out of its misery for good!