I'd choose #2

I have always used the 40watt 4100 lumens so after reading here last night I went out and got 4 T8 bulbs two warm white and two cool white, two were 6500k and the others 3000k. They are supposed to be 30% brighter than my 40watts. I wasnt happy with mine if anything they put out less light. I took mine back and will stick with my ole 40watts and pay the few pennies more and get the brightness.

I would like to know thought where the member above got their 12" wide reflectors , cant seem to find that here. only 7" wide reflectors here.

Ever heard of ONDO lighting? Basically, you get two cheap shop light fixtures, grab just the ballast from the second and use it in the first along with the original to drive just one fixture. Bulbs probably wont last as long, but they'll be 1.75x brighter^^;

There's an aquarium life website that has diy projects that explains it. Keep in mind, I haven't tried this--so use at your own risk.

By the way, I'd choose the second of those two. Personally, I think it is all about lumens with this sort of light situation--the more the better.

For flowing I think the duration of the light cycle would be more influential than the spectrum, but that's just a guess really.

try the Hydrofarm T5HO 54W 4ft 8 bulb commercial fixtures. The put out 40,000 lumens at 432 watts, can't beat it. Good for about 5 flats ....