Mougle vs. Hqi

[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.