[Tonz of fun]

Is there a difference in performance in lights when it comes to name brand and genaric? On ebay they have a 380 watt 24in no name brand light for 179.99. It looks just like the coralife one that retails for 460. Can anyone explain this of had personal expirance with the no-name brand lights?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Hmmmmmmm.......If I wanted to make a 179$ light fixture I think I would buy the cheapest ballast I could get my hands on.It would have to be tar filled and put out a minimum voltage which would make it run hot,but it would run.And maybe I could buy factory second bulbs from the big boys because they dont really want to throw them away.Oh and I could skip that expensive salt resistant powder coat finish and just paint them black.Yeah and I could use aluminum screws in steel housing (who cares if it makes a sacrificial anode and rots out in 3 months).And those cheap switch's,no one will notice that little spark every time they are flipped.Heck with a couple more short guts I can make that light for 139$'s lol.

[kh6sat]

I'll let you know. I bought a light system off eBay for $400 which has 4 65-watt PCFs and 2 250-watt MHs. The brand name version costs $1200.00. Construction and performance seems OK to me. We'll see if it lasts.

[e_baer]

i would also get the cheap one if it will be hanging, but not standing on the tank. if it is hanging , there is a little more space so saltwater cant get there.

[mtfabel]

Good answer Nativevaman.

[Tonz of fun]

I know there are some things you can skimp on and some you cant. I was just wondering if a light is a light is a light ya dig?

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Lets face a fact here. Two good quality mh bulbs that you can rely on,that you dont mind putting over a few hundred dollars worth of coral cost 179$'s.The critters in our tanks have unwillingly been put in the place of having to trust us with there lives and I for one am not going to betray that trust by taking a chance on there lives by useing something cheap and unreliable as I am certain a 179$ light fixture is.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

No tonz I dont dig

[e_baer]

what is this the inner city of chicago. talking all slang.

[mtfabel]

I agree with Nativevaman %100. There is no substitution for quality equipment. Now, lets say you can get the exact same equipment in peices and assemble it yourself for cheaper than the finished product, then that is O.K. But to just buy inferior products out the door is just wasting your time and money and risking your livestocks lives.

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by mtfabel

I agree with Nativevaman %100. There is no substitution for quality equipment. Now, lets say you can get the exact same equipment in peices and assemble it yourself for cheaper than the finished product, then that is O.K. But to just buy inferior products out the door is just wasting your time and money and risking your livestocks lives.

So buying a cheaper tank is bad too, and o man those alge scrapers. You better go all out with those. A simple dont do it there crap would of be fine. You dont have to tell me Im inhuman and Im not handling my responsabilities dont play that card. O and just on a side not if I took the risk and bought a cheap fixture and had to buy a new one from the lfs would my fish and corals lives be at stake?

[e_baer]

no, but it would just be more money in the long run. this light fixture you got may last you many years which would be terrific, but its one of those things, you just never know for sure.

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by e_baer

no, but it would just be more money in the long run. this light fixture you got may last you many years which would be terrific, but its one of those things, you just never know for sure.

Thank you for YOUR honest not regergitated opinion ebaer. I was thinking about it. O well...

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

No tonz I dont dig

Sorry buddy didnt mean to ruffle your feathers lol.

[e_baer]

you are quite welcome

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I dont ruffle that easy lol

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by NATIVEVAMAN

I dont ruffle that easy lol

Just making sure I didnt need a guilt trip I just wanted to know. Right now I have 1 24in 130 watt coralife PC. I was going to get a Sunpod 150 watt MH with LEDs. meaning 2 seperate light fixtures. I thought maybe I would try the one coralife wanna be fixture. Doesnt seem worth the risk anymore

[mtfabel]

I think you need to read my post a little better I didnt say you were being inhumane. I said that its better to not waste your time or money or risk your livestocks health. You couldnt have taken what I said further out of context than what you did.

[Tonz of fun]

Originally Posted by mtfabel

I think you need to read my post a little better I didnt say you were being inhumane. I said that its better to not waste your time or money or risk your livestocks health. You couldnt have taken what I said further out of context than what you did.

Yesterday was a very bad day and I was quit edgy. I do apologize. Work has me going nutz. This is my 100th straight day. No days off. I also have to spend the night at work. Its been 100 days since I have been able to sleep in my own house. Sorry dude.

[glampka]

That sounds like slave labor, Tonz. Thought there were laws as to how many days in a row one could work!!

[mtfabel]

Yes I have had days like that before. I appreciate the appology. I wasnt trying to come down on you, I just didnt want you to make a money making decision that would cost you more in the long run. I do hope the best for you and your tank. Sounds like its time to put the preverbial foot down and take some needed days off.

[Tonz of fun]

I know its not much but My 15 dollars an hour is keeping me going. I normally only make 9+. So I maybe working a bunch but all I see is dollar signs and then I see my tank in a year and all I can do is smile. How is that for motivation...

[NATIVEVAMAN]

I wish I could get some overtime.I guess I am to good at my job lol.

[Tonz of fun]

I take care of mentally challaged people. I live with them. Its not like i can ever get the job done. I will always have work lol.

[NATIVEVAMAN]

You could move in here and not miss a thing lol.