Thinking of chaning out my 400W DE for Mogul...

[Bill S]

OK, just thinking here. I changed my 400w DE bulbs for Hamilton 14Ks about 6 months ago. The bulbs are already "yellowing", and when I asked Hamilton about it, they indicated that 9 months is typical... It seems like maybe the DE technology for 400w just isn't there?

That got me thinking (uh oh). I have Coralvue pendants that are so-so. If I'm going to have to change out bulbs, and the bulbs are $100 a pop (X3...), would I be better, in the long run, to replace the reflectors with Luminarc reflectors and go to a Mogul/SE bulb? Would I expect a bit longer life out of the mogul bulbs?

TIA

[cpreefguy]

Hey Bill,
For the longest time I was a DE only user. Then I decided to order a few Lumenarc minis from coralreefbazaar and pair them up with SE 12ks on Icecap 250w ballasts.
Id have to say that is one of the best lighting setups Ive ever had! (Ask Apedroza, he has them now)
As Im sure you already know, 400w DE bulb choices with are very limited when compared to SE

[alton]

I changed from DE (lasted 8 months) to SE and have never looked back.

[apedroza]

Sean is correct. Since changing to SE from DE my lighting has never looked better The Lmenarcs are by far the best reflector I have ever owned

[Richard]

I prefer SE.

I also downgraded from 400w to 250w on my 215 and got better coloration LOL. Many greens turned purple or blue.

[MissT]

Plus you can get RADIUMS with a mogul!!!

[Richard]

If I'm going to have to change out bulbs, and the bulbs are $100 a pop (X3...),

That is exactly why we switched from DE to SE at the store. Bulbs didn't last any longer and were much more expensive to replace. Plus less selection in bulb types/spectrums.

[brewercm]

I was thinking about changing out to the lumenarcs the next time I need to replace my bulbs. I've been happy with the hamilton 14K DE 250 watters though. I really like the color and they seem to last. Maybe the difference between the 250s and 400s.