epicfish

I have a few options:

1) used: 2x150 or 2x175w MH setup for a 70 gallon, 48" long tank. Retrofit into an existing canopy. The MH setups I can get used with ~6 month bulbs for $200 total. Each replacement bulb is expected to be around $70 for a total of $140 for two. 300-350watts over 70 gallons -> 4.3 to 5WPG.

2) new: 4x54w T5 HO retrofit into a 48" long tank. This will cost $235 plus bulbs, which are $60, so $295 total. Bulb replacements will cost ~$55. 216 watts over 70 gallons -> 3.1WPG.

3) used: 4x54w SLS Tek fixture with old bulbs. $195 shipped. Bulb replacements will cost ~$55. 216 watts over 70 gallons -> 3.1WPG.

4) used: 6x54w SLS Tek fixture with old bulbs. $295 shipped. (Not economical for me unless I really need 4.6WPG of T5 output)

5) new: 2x55w + 2x36w AHSupply retrofit kits, both with new bulbs, $170 shipped. Bulb replacements will cost ~$84. 182 watts over 70 gallons -> 2.6WPG.

The difference between #2 and #3 is that I'm not sure the Tek fixtures were designed to be mounted into a canopy...is this possible? Would it be bad?

#1 has a lower start-up cost with a high WPG, but the bulb replacement costs are gonna add up pretty fast. I think option #3 would be most economical, but would it viable with my canopy? I threw option #5 out there, but don't think it'd be the best choice right now.

I want to be able to grow high light plants at good growth rates, and I'm guessing that means I'd need around 3+WPG for this tank...if so, the 4x54w would barely get me there. Would I need 3WPG? More? Less?

The reason I'd prefer the 4x54w is that I could run 2x54w for most of the day with 4x54w run for a couple hours...I wouldn't be able to do that with the MH.

So many options...does anyone have a suggestion? Heck, would a DIY T8 "retrofit" system work well? I'd need a ton of bulbs seeing as how I can only find 10000K bulbs that are 36 watts. I'd need 6 bulbs for 216 watts....or ODNO??!