hqi or mogul Metal halides?

[bluenassarius]

which do you prefer? i personally like the single end.. haven't had too much experience w/ the double end

 

[tuberider]

SE all the way for me.

 

[bluenassarius]

why SE and not DE?

 

[sfsuphysics]

I too prefer SE bulbs, however with my 18" wide tank, and my desire to put in T5 lighting, I need to go DE, or end up having really crappy SE reflectors.

 

[badbread]

Old article on SE vs. DE

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/feature2.htm

Conclusion

The 150W double ended lamps are very attractive choice for lighting, and in fact we feel they are a better choice when compared to the 175W single ended lamps – based on the fact they produce as much light as the 175W lamps and consume less electricity. Also, the smaller size of the lamp makes it more effective in a reflective fixture. The electronic ballasts for the 150W lamps are also attractive because of the size, weight and heat issues, but they seem to slightly under drive the lamps as compared to the magnetic ballast. Also, it is quite clear that there is very little difference in the light output for the 3 electronic ballasts, the IceCap, Reliable and Aromat ballast. The Hellolight’s ballast is not likely a true 150W ballast, since it is rated for 175W also. These results are for new lamps and based on a sample size of one. Eventually we would like to develop an understanding of how these double ended bulbs age with different ballast combinations.

 

[tuberider]

[quote author=badbread link=topic=4517.msg55174#msg55174 date=1221194160]
Old article on SE vs. DE

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/nov2002/feature2.htm

Conclusion

The 150W double ended lamps are very attractive choice for lighting, and in fact we feel they are a better choice when compared to the 175W single ended lamps – based on the fact they produce as much light as the 175W lamps and consume less electricity. Also, the smaller size of the lamp makes it more effective in a reflective fixture. The electronic ballasts for the 150W lamps are also attractive because of the size, weight and heat issues, but they seem to slightly under drive the lamps as compared to the magnetic ballast. Also, it is quite clear that there is very little difference in the light output for the 3 electronic ballasts, the IceCap, Reliable and Aromat ballast. The Hellolight’s ballast is not likely a true 150W ballast, since it is rated for 175W also. These results are for new lamps and based on a sample size of one. Eventually we would like to develop an understanding of how these double ended bulbs age with different ballast combinations.

[/quote]

An XM 10k 150w de bulb on an HQI ballast draws 200w, the scenarios are highly variable.. Even on an Icecap it draws 175w..