Need help with picking a protein skimmer and lighting please

[Bdrake]

OKAY, so he buys 1 at $425. 5 years later he is at $850. Plus the mudule. So about $900 for 1 light in 10 years. When you can have T5 with great bulbs for 10 years at $179. Plus he can pay less for the up front cost, have better quality, and have anything in his tank that requires photosynthesis.
Also an LED goes down as well in quality after 3-4 years. AND the test results are not done as to how long you can go before replacing T5 ATI bulbs. It could be 1 month more. Maybe 6 more. Going to have to wait.

You forgot one factor: electricity consumption. Going T5 would have cost me roughly $150 more annually than LED.

 

[40B Knasty]

You forgot one factor: electricity consumption. Going T5 would have cost me roughly $150 more annually than LED.

Well I also didn't say that the T5 fixture that I recommend that would be great for him costs $156.
Also watch the BRStv video at 16:20 in. It says $70 for 5 year. $14 a year. That is with a 6 bulb to 8 bulb fixture. He is looking at a 4 bulb. So about $40 max total for electricity more than an LED that is good VS having 4 ATI T5 bulbs that work GREAT in 5 years.
I do not know what the cost of electricity is for each state. I also didn't tell you anything in the thread. So your comment is irrelevant. Both for cost and whatever point you are making to me if the fixture is 3x less.