switching to t5s?

Before I bought my MH fixture, I called FPL(local elec. comp.) and asked them how much was it going to cost. He said $15 extra a month. Luna

 

I just run magnetic ballast like these: Ballast Kit Sodium 400 Watt Multi-Volt I like the multi voltage kits because I run mine on 220v to save on kw usage. Some like the electronic ballast but these came with the tank so I just used them.
Now for bulbs I run 14k SPS (South Pacific Sunlight) bulbs.

 

I have t5s on my 180(72x24x24) and it is intense! I am waiting for a guy to come over and do a PAR test but I am confident that the levels are going to be great! I have 8 60" bulbs but left room to add 2 more if I choose(which I doubt I'll need/want) I've seen other 24" tanks keeping SPS on the bottom w/ T5s. Granted you have a 30" tank BUT even with T5 you could keep most SPS at least 2/3 the way down, and keep your softies and LPS on the bottom. The issue with MH PAR values is they seem to be "chaotic" whereas T5 seem to be more "stable" throughout the tank. IF that makes sense. If you did choose T5 the Ice Cap Ballasts would take the 60" bulbs to roughly 100watts a piece, BUT you would still need at least 8 bulbs.
Keep us posted...