Mougle vs. Hqi

[dirtyruss83]

ok everyone, lets hear all the opinions on this one

[5.0Stang]

ok everyone, lets hear all the opinions on this one
LETS GET READY TO RUMBLEEEEEEEE

Ive always heard de's are better. Maybe some1 can correct me if im wrong but i thought they last longer,brighter,more expensive thats y i got a crappy se

[caferacermike]

The best argument of all, that I've heard, is that DE bulbs are more centered as far as the light emitted. This coupled with a quality reflector allows for a more focused and intense light. What I gathered from this argument is that you can fit more DE and focus brighter light in a smaller area. If you could only fit one SE and reflector in an area you could get 2 DE in well built reflectors in the same area. That way you could double your ouput if you needed it.

[Richard]

I've used both and prefer mogul bulbs. Lifespan is about the same for both and mogul are much cheaper to replace. Also you have more options (brands/spectrums) with the mogul bulbs.

For me, all future lighting will be mogul with lumenarc reflectors.

[apedroza]

I have to go with mogul as well. My 2 lumenarc refectors give me more than enough lighting.

[Viet-Tin]

I like my 150w des. I downgraded from 2x250w se and got the current fixture and seems like everythin is doing well with the new lighting.

[caferacermike]

Oh, I did not throw in my 2 cents. I like my DE's. 2x 250w 14K on a 75g. That should help tie up the score..lol.

[dirtyruss83]

wow almost 100 views to my little question but only 6 replies, i was hoping to get a bigger response, thanks to thoes who have answered so far

[prof]

I like the DEs. I think they put out a little better light and have a more slim profile.

But I run moguls. That is all I have and the price is right. I want to start switching over to DE.

[caferacermike]

DR I think why you'll have troubles getting people to answer this is that it's been fought out hundreds of times before. Try doing a search on the archives. people are probably tired of arguing until they are 20K 420NM in the face about which is better, SE or DE. They both have a purpose in the hobby. What it comes down to is, the look you are after, the size fo the tank, your pocket book.

It's such a difficult question it might not actually be able to be answered. For example. On my 75 tank I wanted to fit the most lighting over a small space as possible. DE's fit my budget, my needs and my tank size. Now for the 400g I'm getting ready to set up I don't have as much money, as much income to pay for electric bills of 4,000w per hour10 hours a day for that 10wpg look I currently have. Since SE bulbs are larger, have a longer burn pattern, I'm looking at them for this project. I'm looking to hit 500w (2x 250w) side by side DE for intense lighting on one end of the tank and then I plan on 2x 400w 12k's in lumenarcs for the remaining 4 feet of tank length. just to make it bright. One end is my reef and the other is my "FOWLR". I have to make a compromise due to my budget so I'll be using BOTH.

[hobogato]

i run both on my tank and two DE bulbs are much brighter than 3 SE bulbs of the same color temp and wattage. that is why i run 3 SEs for 8 hours a day and two DEs with them for only 4 hours a day. the SEs seem to produce more shimmer effect than the DEs. BTW, i am running all 250 watt bulbs and the SEs are in luminarc mini knockoff reflectors that i built and the DEs have upgraded reflectors inside the pendants.

[matt]

If you compare Ushio 10ks mogule and DE running off the same ballast (M80) here is how it looks:

Mogule, not shielded has PPFD (similar to PAR) 159
DE, not shielded PPFD 104
DE shielded (you can't run these not shielded) PPFD 84

If you run the mogule 250W ushio with a standard M58 ballast it drops to 118.

Mogule bulbs do produce more PAR for the same wattage; in this case almost double. I was surprised to learn this back when I was shopping for lights. The HQI ballast, which most people use with DE bulbs, is probably the reason DEs have such a reputation for higher output. The color temps tend to be a little higher for given bulbs with DE; with the ushios its somehwere around 8900 for the mogules and 10000 for the DEs. Another reason DEs got their rep, I think, is because they're usually in better reflectors, but the lumenarcs changed that. If you're looking for the highest PAR out of a particular wattage, you want to run mogule bulbs in lumenarcs, without a shield.

On my small tank, I'm using a DE pendant, because I knew I would not be able to use actinics and I wanted the color/PAR combinaton of the phoenix 14k. I also think that a mini pendant on an open top tank is probably the easiest way to avoid heat problems in a small tank.

[dirtyruss83]

now thats the kinda input i was expecting, sorry if its a subject thats been up before havent been on here but for a month or so, but anyways great info from all thanks

[Polkster13]

Couple of things to remember.

Lumenarcs are made in both reflector and pendant styles now for both DE and SE bulbs. You heard correctly, there is now a PENDANT version for the SE bulbs! No more crapping looking reflector (if you are hanging it above your tabk and NOT in a hood. I can provide pictures to anyone that is interested and NO you will not find these on the PCG web site.

Also, on a DE bulb you have to have a glass shild to protect both you and your animals from harmful UV-A radiation. This will also protect the bulb from water splashes and that crack either type of bulb and will void any warranty you have on the bulb. Single-ended bulbs don't need the glass cover because the outer glass tube keeps any UV-A radiation from getting out. But if you put these bulbs really close to the water you have to be very careful that no water splashes on them (which would cause them to break).

Also remember to wipe either type bulb down with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any oily fingerprints as these too can cause a bulb to fail prematurely.

[alton]

I switched from DE to SE because my lamps only lasted 8 months before they started losing there brightness. My SE 12 Reeflex are close to 12 months old and still going strong. Most of the time your eyes can not tell when your lamps are going bad, only your corals or a meter can tell.

[Ross]

I've used both, both are great, i prefer the SE with lumenarc reflector.