Well, after looking around, vacillating back and forth I finally decided that for the $$$, those LED units really are a bargain.
So I rolled the dice and ordered one of these;
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00INM0J1M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Galaxyhydro™ Led 55x3w Dimmable 165w Full Spectrum LED Aquarium Light
Product Specifications:
Dimensions: 15.8 x 8.4 x 2.4 inches
Weight: 7.9 pounds
Output Power: 55pcs*3watt
Power Consumption: 120W+/-3%
Warranty: 1 year
Lifespan: 30000 hours
Worldwide Voltage: AC85~265V
Working Voltage: 23V
Working Current: 1.2A
View Angle of LEDs: 90 degree lens
Dimmer One(28 LEDs) 16 x Cool White 14,000k 6 x Warm white 2700k 4x Red 660nm Green 520
Dimmer One(27 LEDs) 20 x Blue 460nm 4 x Purple 410nm 3 x Moonlight Blue
Using: suitable for a 20 to 50 Gallon tank
Recommend Height: 0.3 m- 2 m
So it has essentially the same specs on paper as the Taotronics 165watt unit,
it will be here in about a week so we will see how it performs.
I had some credit sitting in my account so it cost me less than $90 out of pocket and I can't even DIY a standard output T5 set-up for that much.
So I humbly bow and acquiesce to you guys on the subject of cheap Chinese LED units.