Lighting question for smaller tank

[sphelps]

PC- power compacts: Cheap fair par output but not very efficient. Bulb life is less than 12 months.

T5HO- High Output Fluorescent, fairly expensive, very efficient, good par output, available individual parabolic reflectors are what really make these better than other fluorescents. Bulb life tends to be 12-18 months.

MH- Metal Halides, very high par output in small package, not very efficient, generate high amounts of heat. Usually best bang for the buck for larger tanks especially when considering bulb replacement (1 bulb verse 4). Bulb life around 12 months.

VHO: Very high output fluorescents, very high energy consumption with low par output= not efficient. Tends to be an older style of aquarium lighting. Bulb life 6-8 months.

For something cheap for soft and LPS corals just use the PCs, they will give you good result for what you want.