SE or DE MH bulbs?

[sgarron]

I have been thinking about yet another upgrade. This time I would like to do a real nice light set up. When I started a little over a year ago all I wanted was a couple clowns and an anemone in my "29g" tank. What happened???

Ok, I would like to do 3 - 250w MH bulbs in Lumenarc reflectors, probably minis so I can add 4 - ATI Blue Plus T5's. Would I be better off with the DE or SE bulbs? I was thinking Phoenix 14k for DE or Reeflux 12k for SE. I could really use some advice or experiences from everyone here. I have spent way too much on this "HOBBY" already and I only want to redo the lights this one last time. :

 

[sinkingbeach]

I'm currently running 3 250 DE Phoenix bulbs over my custom 175, I purchased them due to my budget and wish I stayed with the 2 geisemann megachrome 14.5s(thought I was saving $60 but it's now going to cost me an additional $180) and a single Phoenix 250 in the middle. The phoenix are bluer than geisemann but they don't look as bright. My corals also seemed to color up more so with the geisemann than they are now under the Phoenix bulbs. I do prefer DE over single ended but there are pros and cons for both.

 

[mikem]

I like SE 12K Reeflux. Tried almost everything else.

 

[MikeNapoli]

I have 2 250w 12K reeflux HQI/Double Ended w/ 4 54w T5 bulbs.

I'm happy with the MHs but I'm still on the look out for a better T5 arrangment.

 

[DaveK]

I have been thinking about yet another upgrade. ...
Ok, I would like to do 3 - 250w MH bulbs in Lumenarc reflectors, probably minis so I can add 4 - ATI Blue Plus T5's. Would I be better off with the DE or SE bulbs? ...

In looking at what you have currently, according to your signature, three 150w MH and eight 39w T5, I'd say that you already have a good lighting system. My question to you is, what do you want to keep that is going to benefit from a lighting upgrade? Also, what do you have now that is going to suffer due to a lighting upgrade? Not everything likes brighter light.

Yes, you will get more light, or your be able to use a much higher K bulb, but you'll also get a lot more heat generated and your electric bill will take a big hit. It's possible you'll also need a chiller to keep temps down in the summer.

Unless you want to keep something that has really extreme lighting requirements, I recommend you stay with what you have. Sure it's always nice to have something new, but ask yourself if the money you would spend on lighting would be better spent on other equipment. For example, a skimmer upgrade might improve water quality a lot more than a lighting upgrade.

If you are going to upgrade the lighting, I would recommend DE bulbs, but this is my personal preference. I don't think there is a big difference between SE or DE bulbs, provided the reflector behind the bulb is good. I would also highly recommend electronic ballasts. They will run a lot cooler, and consume far less power. Usually an electronic ballast will pay for itself in the first two years of operation.

 

[sgarron]

As far as what I already have, I'm sure the few SPS I have would appreciate the extra wattage. My BTAS and haddoni certainly wouldn't mind it either. I do plan on more acros in the future as well. I could always reposition any LPS or zoas that don't respond well.

One of the reasons is I do want to run a higher K bulb. As far as the electric bill, I'm really only adding 140w. I'm going from 8-39w T5's to 4 and 450w to 750w MH. With the calculator on Reefcentral I'm currently using about $48 a month, another 10-15 tops is no big deal. I keep the house at 70 degrees year round so summer won't matter much.

My biggest issue with the fixture I have now, the Current USA Outer Orbit is that it's pretty heavy and bulky for one person to lift off for cleaning or bulb replacement. I always feel like I'm going to drop it in the tank. No need to upgrade the skimmer or other equipment.

I think I prefer the DE as well if for no other reason than the protective glass is standard. The Lumatek's are electronic, no way I would use magnetic because of power consumption and heat. The reflectors; Lumenarc, Lumenmax, Lumenbrite all seem pretty good. I'll just have to pick one.

There has to be a 12 step program for this sickness.

 

[jsteel]

I would beware of the lumenbrite DE's. my friend just bought a couple and ended up returning them. the socket isn't installed with a bracket so the 250 bulbs wouldn't stay connected, they kept popping out due to the pressure. secondly, as you know, DE's require the glass shield and the lumenbrites offer no way to remove the glass other than to disassemble the fixture; a real pain...many screws. you would have to take the fixture down to replace a bulb.

 

[sgarron]

Lumenbrite was my third choice, now it's out. Thanks for the tip.