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

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

You shouldn't buy an ebay HOB skimmer but you certainly don't have to buy a deltec.

I love my Deltec skimmer. So much so I bought another for my next tank build Used of course

Anthony

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

I love my Deltec skimmer. So much so I bought another for my next tank build Used of course

Anthony

When is the thread for new tank build going up?

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

As soon as I get the last couple pieces of equipment for it (Jebao)

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

As soon as I get the last couple pieces of equipment for it (Jebao)

[Jakegr]

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.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

The points I put forth for LEDs are related to "cost" and that is an independent to owning one. Companies say you save money with LED, I prove you don't. I have never said anything related to growth/coloration which is what depends on true experience. I did talk about disco affect which is something non-debatable.

" Although english is not my first language but I think there's a well understood difference between "disagree" and "debate" and I am capable enough to understand the difference."

I guess I am just misinterpreting your comments then.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by Jakegr

- 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.

Yep, I had a 75g starphire 3 sides, frameless with external overflow built for the same price as a standard "reef ready" 75g tank at the local stores. My dimension were a bit different though as I went with a 3' x 2' foot print instead of the standard 48" x 18". It also pays to check around as I had other quotes that were much higher.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

" Although english is not my first language but I think there's a well understood difference between "disagree" and "debate" and I am capable enough to understand the difference."

I guess I am just misinterpreting your comments then.

The lines you made bold are from a completely different thread where I showed that "expensive" LEDs cost benefit is extremely low. That's a completely different thread; Bill just pointed it out since I am well known to trigger such conclusions . And its about disproving the advertisement by those companies; I also pointed out good sides of LEDs in that thread too but I wouldn't buy the main line that all those companies put forth for LED; atleast not for the next 2/3 years. Its math

And about the disco; its not debatable because its either there or its not there for certain fixture....you cannot say you can't have a disco affect from a razor fixture.

Sorry for misinterpreting your comment. Those two points were from a thread few months ago so I just brought it up in context. My apology

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by mrhasan

The lines you made bold are from a completely different thread where I showed that "expensive" LEDs cost benefit is extremely low. That's a completely different thread; Bill just pointed it out since I am well known to trigger such conclusions . And its about disproving the advertisement by those companies; I also pointed out good sides of LEDs in that thread too but I wouldn't buy the main line that all those companies put forth for LED; atleast not for the next 2/3 years. Its math

And about the disco; its not debatable because its either there or its not there for certain fixture....you cannot say you can't have a disco affect from a razor fixture.

Sorry for misinterpreting your comment. Those two points were from a thread few months ago so I just brought it up in context. My apology

Well I'm also grouchy today because I spent the day in freezing cold sump pit replacing pumps and then had to come home to 1 1/2 hours of shovelling snow. Now I have to proof read another of my wife's reports for her university degree which I know absolutely nothing about the subject (or care to) but have a knack for grammar and making her wording flow better and make more sense. I can actually write better than I do on Canreef.

[mrhasan]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

Well I'm also grouchy today because I spent the day in freezing cold sump pit replacing pumps and then had to come home to 1 1/2 hours of shovelling snow. Now I have to proof read another of my wife's reports for her university degree which I know absolutely nothing about the subject (or care to) but have a knack for grammar and making her wording flow better and make more sense. I can actually write better than I do on Canreef.

Best of luck reviewing the report

I am still at the university staring at thousands of data in excel and trying to make fancy diagrams using illustrator....its just one of those days :P

Really sorry for escalating your mood with this thread.