those are no different from "aquarium" lights in terms of light output. You put the same bulbs in there as in an equivilant "aquarium" fixture and you'll get the same light. With several major caveats.
1: Moisture. Hydro lights aren't protected against it. Their housing isn't generally sealed as well, and they normally don't use waterproof endcaps, or the same grouding with their ballasts. This isn't a knock against these lights. For their use, they don't NEED the protection aquarium lights do. However, the first time you have to buy a new ballast for a hydro light because too much moisture got in the wrong place, you'll be mad you didn't spend a bit more and get one that was made for an aquarium.
2: Plugs and switches. Aquarium lights are almost always built (in the case of T5HO) to have only two bulbs (or four in the case of VERY large setups) running on any given plug or switch. This makes it to where you can run less bulbs when needed and run the whole she-bang for a noon-burst, or use certain color bulbs on one bank and another color on another bank that are run at seperate times, etc etc etc. There are many reasons for the banks of lights to be on seperate plugs, timers, etc and I wouldn't want a light where I didn't have that control. ESPECIALLY a T5HO. They are very powerful, given the right bulbs, and most tanks (freshwater) with average depth and height don't NEED any more than two T5HO bulbs down the length of the tank to grow *most* plants. Four bulb fixtures are very nice to run two bulbs most of the day and all four for a burst to get a little more punch from the light. You couldn't do that with most hydro lights.
3: Quality. High-tech planted tank owners whined enough to get light fixture makers to create planted tank lights with very nice quality. Any light that doesn't meet these standards is immediately renounced on forums all over the world lol. I don't agree with this particular strategy, but it has paved the way for nice lights at decent prices. I'm not going to come out and say it, but Tek lights (and a few other nice lights out there) are for big nurseries looking to grow plants hydroponically and be successful in their field. Cut-rate "hydro" lights are for a whole other "business" and they aren't made with the same standards. Generally, the majority of their customers don't scientifically know the difference between two lights, and are simply looking for the cheapest way to set up a growing room.
I'm not saying don't get this light, as it might just work for you. However, the differences above would probably make me go somewhere that is reputable while at the same time being cost effective and tailors specifically to your needs. Catalina Aquariums has a very good rep for this purpose. AH Supply does too. (although they deal exclusively in power compact the last time I checked) Current USA is another, although they're a smidge more expensive, and I've heard a few more complaints about their lights.
you decide, I'm just blabbing lol
how deep is your 150? For anything but the very deepest of tanks a 4 bulb (4 x 54W) T5HO fixture would work fine, and Catalina Aquariums has theirs on sale for $200shipped. I ordered one just today lol.
