I think with a DIY you will definitely be getting a more custom light for what you need, don't get me wrong. I'm looking at adding supplemental lighting to my halides, and probably going to be going DIY. That's the reason for DIY most of the time, after tools, time etc, you don't save too much money, as much as people think you do anyways.... unless you cheap out on parts, and then you end up with a cheap product.

A well built LED is well worth it in the end I believe, but as for this thread asking about cost, you won't be saving oodles of money.

direct from apogee. when I got it they were 80 bucks but that was 10ish years ago.. probably needs to be sent back for a recal. I likes that one as I could mount it to a acrylic track I built and test any tank at exactly 10" below the top of the tank while mantaining exactly a 90 degree angle.

Steve