Single-ended or Double-ended??????

[jake ballard]

I am want ing to know what is better to go with. I see that the double-ended bulbs are a bit more expensive than the single. Are there any advantages from one to another?

I am going to be using this on a 120gal tank. I am looking at using 2x250 watt with some T-5 as well.

Thanks for the advice!!

Jake

[krmpotic]

Good wattage for a 120.Just remember de m/h require a uv shield.Do you have a canopy ?.You can do a retrofit,pendants if no top.The possibilities are endless.What is your setup on top?

[ThrowinRoost89]

im looking at buying the C USA outer orbit fixture for my 120

its on sale at the doctors web site

fyi:
if your looking for a fixture....

[kdblove_99]

Put 2 lumenarcs on that badboy.

I just switched from DE to SE. I like the coverage of a SE.

The DE will have better par in most cases.

I really like the Radium 20K bulb it looks very nice and has almost as much par as a Phoenix 14K DE.

I also think the bulb selection is alot better with SE

[jake ballard]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+15486&pcatid=15486

Outer Orbit Pro Series HQI/T-5/LED Lights

CD-27213 48" 716W Reg $999.99 SALE $849.99

or

CD-27218 48" 516W Reg $829.99 SALE $705.49


this is what i have been looking at but are Double Ended Bulbs any better than Single. is there a difference other than price. it looks like double ended are about $25-$30 more expensive. do double ended last any longer?

Thanks.

Jake

[nyvp]

De are more of a spot light while se spread the light out more. I would use a DE in a 18" wide and a SE in 24 and larger. As of the comment that DE's are brighter and have more par thats not always true. if you take away away the 20% or so because of the use of glass the par #'s of SE are many times higher then in DE's

[jake ballard]

any other tips of sites to look at or any other options????

keep the advice coming!!!

Thanks,
jake

[Steve973]

The amount of light spread is largely due to the reflector. I recently switched to T5s, but I used to use a 250W DE fixture. If I'd ever use halide again, I think I'd go with single-ended bulbs. It appears that there are more options that way. And you don't have to worry as much about screwing up your socket. Plus, that's the only way that you can use Radiums!

[VaderWS6]

I run my SE 250watt metal halides on an HQI ballast. It burns them about twice as bright! XM 250watt SE 10k's on a dual PFO HQI ballast = Mine are so much brighter than the 250watt DE bulbs I see.

[Steve973]

A lot has to do with the reflectors, but Sanjay's site will show you what the difference is that actually matters to the coral. An increase in visual intensity isn't necessarily what's important.

[jake ballard]

any body know of any good sites to look at!!!!

thanks for the imputs!!

Jake

[Criminal#58369]

I like HQI works well for me, if i had a bigger tank i would probably go single.

[jake ballard]

what are good places to find SE lights????

[kdblove_99]

there quite a few.

check the sponsors.
I love premiumaquatics plus they will pricematch everything

hellolights.com is a good one