Pros and Cons Of Mogul and HQI

[BrianMac]

Looking into going retro. I was originally going to go with Mogul type bulbs. Started thinking if this would be the best way to go.

What are the Pro's and Con's of these types of lights?

 

[PRTA79]

hqi

con
my hqi's run really hot
super bright though

ive heard se bulbs have more par ?

 

[smcnally]

Pro for SE: SE bulbs are easier to change and less fragile.

Pro for DE: DE bulbs have more penetration.

 

[naturebatslast]

DE must be externally sheilded, SE has internal sheilding. HQI ballasts use more electricity, overdrive bulbs(which can be good) and possibly have a shorter lifespan when compared to SE on a regulare magnetic or electronic ballast. SE's on a good parallel reflector have a better spread of light when compared to a similiar DE fixtures.

 

[JohnK]

Just some tid bits that are often not mentioned;

An often overlooked issue is that DE bulbs on HQI ballasts often use well over 300W for a 250W system. SE on standard ballasts generally use something much closer to an acutal 250W.

Anything on an electronic ballast runs on very close to what it's rated for - but DE lamps will put out less par on electronic ballasts.

"diamond Lumimarc" reflectors will sig increase the effiency of SE bulbs.

When you look at the #'s for DE bulbs, be sure your looking at #;s with the glass sheild - unsheilded #'s are misleading because the DE bulbs NEED to have protective UV glass sheilds. SE bulbs have the uv sheild built into the bulb.

As Steve mentioned, DE bulbs generally (largely depends on the reflector) have more focused light. IMO this is a benifit on a 12" wide tank, probably a benifit on a 18" wide tank, and maybe not such a good thing on a wider tank.

Best bet, take 10 asprin, and start going over sanjays testing.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

You'll see specific data on many bulb / ballast combo's, both SE and DE.

Lighting gets very complicated, there are no perfect, simple answers. Try to visit other local reefers systems and see different set ups in person - that goes a very long way in making a decision.

EDIT; Ok so natureblast beat me to it on the majority of my "often not mentioned list", I guess I type slow...

 

[BrianMac]

SE single ended?? so DE is Double ended.....Just checking

 

[Gina McReeferson]

Somethng I often see and get the feeling that not everyone is keyed in on is the fact that HQI does not mean in itself DE bulbs. SE bulbs can also be driven with HQI ballasts. I know this does not help answer your question, perhaps fogs the issue further for you, but whenever I see the "Mogul vs. HQI" threads I wonder if this is understood as it is rarely comented on in the threads.

-Dave

 

[BrianMac]

Just some tid bits that are often not mentioned;

An often overlooked issue is that DE bulbs on HQI ballasts often use well over 300W for a 250W system. SE on standard ballasts generally use something much closer to an acutal 250W.

Anything on an electronic ballast runs on very close to what it's rated for - but DE lamps will put out less par on electronic ballasts.

"diamond Lumimarc" reflectors will sig increase the effiency of SE bulbs.

When you look at the #'s for DE bulbs, be sure your looking at #;s with the glass sheild - unsheilded #'s are misleading because the DE bulbs NEED to have protective UV glass sheilds. SE bulbs have the uv sheild built into the bulb.

As Steve mentioned, DE bulbs generally (largely depends on the reflector) have more focused light. IMO this is a benifit on a 12" wide tank, probably a benifit on a 18" wide tank, and maybe not such a good thing on a wider tank.

Best bet, take 10 asprin, and start going over sanjays testing.
http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/

You'll see specific data on many bulb / ballast combo's, both SE and DE.

Lighting gets very complicated, there are no perfect, simple answers. Try to visit other local reefers systems and see different set ups in person - that goes a very long way in making a decision.

EDIT; Ok so natureblast beat me to it on the majority of my "often not mentioned list", I guess I type slow...

I'm going to need a drink....

 

[Greg Hiller]

>SE's on a good parallel reflector have a better spread of light when compared to a similiar DE fixtures.<

But IMO, there's nothing to keep you from just raising the fixture for more spread of light.

One thing I don't think's been mentioned yet. According to Sanjay (one of his articles somewhere) it is easier to build an efficient reflector for a smaller bulb, this is why the DE reflectors can be so good, and so small. I like the fact that many of the DE fixtures don't even have a fan. I have NO fans anywhere above my 400 G tank. Makes for a VERY quiet tank. All the fans, and any needed cooling equipment is in the basement.