Lights for open air paludarium

[Natalie]

Hello!

I am researching the equipment to put together a 4'x4'x5' open air paludarium.

I am hoping to get some advice on lighting. The lights will be 42" from the surface of the water, and 54" from the bottom of the tank.

I am a reef-girl at heart, so I tend to lean toward halides (and have several 150w and 250w fixtures already available), but I don't feel comfortable with halides in this application. I have two small children, and since this will open-air there won't be any water to block the view of the bulbs -- don't want my kiddos looking up into them.

I am leaning toward either LEDs or HO t5's.

Any thoughts on what will get the best penetration in this application?

I have attached a sketch of the scale of the setup, as well as the (sadly, empty) tank and the beginnings of my above-water hardscape.