You get what you pay for?! A marketing hype or a reality?

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

Success can be achieved by all means and cannot be judged by how many high end stuffs you have

But you assume that success is the only motivation in selection of item. It isn't. I choose my controller for ease of tank management. I choose it for it's form factor and interface. I choose it for it's programming model.
My LEDs were selected for how they would look as an overall part of the tank design in the main room of my house. AI Sols have a very nice design and fit well with the theme of my tank.
I choose pumps for how quiet they are, how easy they are to clean and how convenient spare parts are to acquire.
Each piece of equipment has far many more criteria for selection than "will I be successful".
And with these considerations, I find, that in most situations pertaining to my tank and my wallet, I got exactly what I paid for. And none of it has anything to do with how successful it will make me in reef keeping. I have a knack for growing SPS and could probably be successful with a proverbial stick and a blanket. The value of my purchases goes far beyond that.

I too wonder what the hell you're going on about. I think your line of reasoning is very narrow minded and you're arguing in a circle. The best success in reef keeping is being happy with how you've proceeded in the journey. Enjoy your tank, or don't. Stop arguing over something that doesn't have a winning side.