Reef lighting overpriced?

Ok. Well I got some info today that just kinda iratates me. Our electrical contractor where I work was installing new lights in our back room. He was putting up 60 inch 3 bulb T5's. I got to talking to him and found out that that fixture cost (retail) is about $100 new. I started to ask more questions about it. As it turns out it is almost the same with two diferences. These use a white reflector and these do not have a switch on the balast to turn it on or off. The reflectors are painted aluminumn, how hard can it be to strip off the white paint? The switch, ok spend another 2 dollars and buy a light switch at true value problem solved.   Also as I talked to him some I found out that they also deal with MH lighting, Now I will have to do more research on the ones he sells but at $30 for a NEW 200 watt ballast and $12 for the reflector how in the world can you go wrong. I am wondering why every time I price "reef" lighting I end up looking at spending several hundred dolars at the least? Like I say I am going to do some more research on the MH lights but if they are compatable with my reef you bet that is what I am going to do. Just wanted to share this. Maybe next time you go looking for a new light you may think about heading down to the electrical contractors supply, may save you a bundle. Shaun

 

I was thinking about getting a couple MH ballests and reflectors from the contractor supply and the bulbs from Marine Depot. I did the math and going this way will save me several hundred. Shaun