What size light shoudld I buy?

[yourockit]

I have 100gal tank with three 5" atfs and two 4" silver dollars as a hedge against atf on atf violence. I am going to buy a sunpod system as such systems seem most complete and easy to use. But which one should I get? I have narrowed it down to two possibilities:

150watt metal halide with lunar lights (system 24inches in length).

-or-

250watt metal halide with lunar lights (system 24inches in length).

My tank size is 5feet by 18inches deep by 22 inches tall. Below is a link for the purpose of reading more about these systems. I plan to add plants to my tank for the sake of adding oxygen. Thanks.
http://cgi.ebay.com/24-1x150w-HQI-C...ryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[proaquatics]

up to you,are you ever going to do reef later on??if so go with the 250 if not stay with the 150

 

[yourockit]

up to you,are you ever going to do reef later on??if so go with the 250 if not stay with the 150

probably won't do reef in the next few years. probably will see myself move up to larger tanks to house larger fishes.

will you tell me why you decided that 150 is best for me? thanks

 

[WyldFya]

If you intend to do plants, with that lighting, you will need to get rid of any HOB filters, and will have to get a co2 tank and reg combo. If you get the co2, and get rid of the surface agitation, then you can use the MH. The next problem you will face is your plant choice. You must have plants that can utilize the nutrients quite fast. Systemic plants are the best. Finally, you will need good quality ferts that you can control precise amounts of each of the macro, and some of the micro nutrients. Without that, you will face huge algae battles.