Help me out here?

[gethyn]

Getting ready to buy a TEK t5 fixture 8 bulb 48" for 280$ over half what it costs new. I keep seeing the same setup on Ebay made by Radiion for 140$ what are the cons of the fixture on ebay that comes with bulbs. The one on ebay can run the same bulbs. Is it the quality of the ballasts?

 

[Troylee]

It's all about reflectors my friend... The tek will put out twice as much light since it has high quality reflectors... That's the only difference.. Hope that helps.."hth"

 

[redhanded]

A bit of advice. When I first started in this hobby, I thought the cheaper products was "good enough" and I didn't want to spend the extra on a quality product. So for the first year I bought low end lights, power heads and skimmers. All of which was eventually replaced with quality name brand items. Although you might be able to make due with the cheaper product, I can almost guarantee you will upgrade it in the future and end up spending and buying twice. As troylee stated, the reflectors in the tek is much better and will yield better results. And for $280, you are getting a heck of a deal on a 48" 8 bulb tek.

 

[Raggamuffin]

Have to agree with the others here, I made the same mistakes when I got into the hobby myself, you will hopefully sooner than later figure out that spending up front saves you a ton of money.