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HQI vs Mogul Bulbs life
- Thread starter Pinkskunk
- Start date
Not an answer to your questions, but I'm wrestling with the same decision also.
One thing I realized that a lot of discussions of SE vs DE seem to miss, is that a lot of the 250W HQI bulbs on HQI ballasts actually run on closer to 350W of juice. IME this is relevant in considering the findings that 250 HQIs can compete with 400W SE - they can compete in intensity, but also use a lot more than 250W. Also, it sounds like although most or all electronic ballasts are advertised as being compatible with HQI lamps- they don't perform anywhere near the same as non-electronic HQI ballasts (ie electronic uses much less juice but also puts out way less light and the color is often different)
PS, that RBTA I got from you in 02 is now about 12 RBTA's
One thing I realized that a lot of discussions of SE vs DE seem to miss, is that a lot of the 250W HQI bulbs on HQI ballasts actually run on closer to 350W of juice. IME this is relevant in considering the findings that 250 HQIs can compete with 400W SE - they can compete in intensity, but also use a lot more than 250W. Also, it sounds like although most or all electronic ballasts are advertised as being compatible with HQI lamps- they don't perform anywhere near the same as non-electronic HQI ballasts (ie electronic uses much less juice but also puts out way less light and the color is often different)
PS, that RBTA I got from you in 02 is now about 12 RBTA's
RichConley
Attack of the Killer Cute
John, I wanted to expand on something you said about HQIs and electronics. I was talking to someone on reef central, and he explained something to me about HQI bulbs and electronics, and how they underdrive the bulbs. Basically, because of the lower temperature inside the bulb, theres more liquid/less gas, and you tend to have more depositing in the bulb.
I run 2x250 DEs, one in a Geissman pendant, run off an HQI, one off an Icecap on an ROIII pendant, and in my experience, the icecap runs through bulbs much faster than the HQI. Theres definitely a negative effect to running HQI bulbs on e-ballasts.
I run 2x250 DEs, one in a Geissman pendant, run off an HQI, one off an Icecap on an ROIII pendant, and in my experience, the icecap runs through bulbs much faster than the HQI. Theres definitely a negative effect to running HQI bulbs on e-ballasts.
