It is a fact that there are some amazing tanks out there that use budget equipment. I think the bottom line is that good husbandry techniques and careful equipment selection are far more important than the amount of money you spend. In my opinion, you can get skimmers that skim equally well to a Bubble King or LED lights that provide equal light quality as a GHL Mitras, for a fraction of the price of those high end items.
At the same time, I think hobbyists that stick to budget equipment should recognize that, while it may be stupid to you to spend $200 extra to get rid of a power cord in your tank, or $500 for a dead silent skimmer, other hobbyists may think it is worth it. It is simply a difference of opinion and is definitely not worth expending energy arguing about.
A few specific comments I have regarding gear in this thread:
- Custom tanks actually aren't much more than standard tanks. It depends a lot on the "options" you select on the custom tank, but you can actually get a basic custom tank for nearly the same price as a standard tank.
- I have seen no difference in my tanks that have used IO, Reef Crystals, Kent, and Deltec salt. I currently use IO.
- I kind of found the Kessil comment odd (that they are good value). I think they are one of the most over priced lights on the market for what they do. This is coming from someone who owns one.
- Vortech's are fantastic quality compared to Hydor Koralias. If you take proper care of your Vortech, it will last for many years. Personally, I think you are lucky if you can get 2 years out of a Koralia, even with regular vinegar baths. It is also really nice to clean a Vortech you do not need to unplug it.
- I completely agree about the LEDs. Cheap LEDs can provide great quality of light, just as good as a high end LED fixture. My biggest problem with cheap LEDs is that they are just ugly. Good for those who have a close canopy, but not good looking over open top tanks.
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12-13-2013, 01:11 AM
Hybrid Mode
