CA2OR Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I am curious....some of you guys have SE and others like myself have DE....but what is better? On a side note....why is it better?(scratch). I have never understood this. I mean I know electric ballasts are better than magnetic....aren't they? And where does HQI fall into the mix? Anyway....what do you use and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Ive always used SE but now I'm curious if it's true that the hqi has a higher per than se, and if se have the same par as hqi if overdriven by a hqi ballast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 Why is SE better? I would think DE would be better.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I dont know? Is it better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 Dunno....it has more votes though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Why is SE better? I would think DE would be better.... Why would ya think DE would be better? Cuz it's what you have hu? (naughty) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 it is what I have and 2 is better than 1.LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I voted SE. Only because I like to run Radiums, powered by HQI ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I have used both and I think I get more light from my DE. I had overdriven SE's also. I dont have PAR readings to back that up just what I feel. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 when i worked for PFO lighting i found out the DE and SE are the same the only difference is the outer sleeve for the SE bulb. The de's are nice because you can fit them in a smaller area, other then that they are the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kshack Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 DE are built to run on HQI ballasts, which consume more power (about 250 vs 330) and put out more light. Not more efficient, just more power in -power out. SOME SE bulbs are built to run on HQI ballasts (like Radium 250W, but NOT the Radium 400W). Some people like to overdrive a normal SE bulb with a HQI to shift the color and get more light out of the bulb. This will decrease the life of the overdriven bulb. DE bulbs require a glass shield to filter the UV. SE bulbs have the glass shield built in, so none required. The general opinion is that there are more SE bulbs to choose from, but if you have a DE that you like that may not matter to you. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevman Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (help)I have no idea what you guys are talking about..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I voted single ended, not because it is better but because it is my preference. I feel I get better spread out of single ended setups, primarily because I can be more selective about reflectors. I also love to run 400w SE Radiums on an HQI ballast. Amazing color and growth. I currently have a DE 250w fixture over my 90g and have to say that I have been impressed with the output of the 250w DE bulbs in comparison to my other 250w single ended bulbs not on HQI ballasts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpunk Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Why is SE better? I would think DE would be better.... Because I run SE's and I always have the better stuff:p. My stuff is always the bestest and if you don't believe me then just ask me!(laugh) I really have no clue what is better and why but I would love to hear why one way or the other. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowpunk Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 (help)I have no idea what you guys are talking about..... A little rundown for ya Kevman... DE=Dual ended bulb This bulb has connections at both ends and is about 1/4 the size of the SE bulbs. I think they are about 4" long and about 3/4" wide. They are much easier to find room for on smaller tanks. SE=single ended bulb This bulb only has a electrical connection at one end. and is rather large. I would say about 10" or so in length and 2" to 2.5" around maybe. the one on the bottom at least, the top one is much wider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 when i worked for PFO lighting i found out the DE and SE are the same the only difference is the outer sleeve for the SE bulb. The de's are nice because you can fit them in a smaller area' date=' other then that they are the same.[/quote'] Now that is a helpful answer. Thanks, Roy. I voted DE because that's what I have on the fixture I bought (but don't yet have installed - still on T5's right now). After seeing a number of setups with the 250W DE Phoenix 14k bulbs, I was sold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Brian myself and Calvin both have spare used bulbs you can use to get that fixture going. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stylaster Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 there are differences in ballasts, and that determines how they run the bulb. The bulbs themselves are the same. I have heard that HQI drives the bulb harder, creating more light, but less bulb life compared to a tar or electronic ballast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blown65 Posted November 25, 2009 Share Posted November 25, 2009 I like the DE better myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
undrtkr_00 Posted December 1, 2009 Share Posted December 1, 2009 Brian myself and Calvin both have spare used bulbs you can use to get that fixture going. Thanks, Brandon. I actually just got some bulbs in the mail and have been working on rigging up my hanger setup. Hopefully I'll get it done this week in the evening and have some pics for ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 1, 2009 Author Share Posted December 1, 2009 I am kinda stoked right now. I am going to be upgrading to a pheonix 14k bulb very shortly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted December 6, 2009 Share Posted December 6, 2009 You should have made the upgrade a long time ago. Well worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 now you are just making it worse...and it looks like I will be exchanging bulbs for actinic's as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
finch6013 Posted December 7, 2009 Share Posted December 7, 2009 my 14k with two o3/420nm actinic 65w pc's make my corals look really good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted December 7, 2009 Author Share Posted December 7, 2009 that is pretty much the plan.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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