Metal Halide Bulb types

naprestsleep · 05/29/2008, 11:23 AM

SE vs DE MH

Which is better? I have narrowed down the make/model of mh pendant I want but don't know if SE or DE socket should be bought.
The SE pendant cheaper but both accept 12K-14K bulb I want.

Any comments?

HumanIMDB · 05/29/2008, 11:27 AM

Here is how it was explained to me:

"DE stands for double ended. SE stands for single ended. Single ended are bigger because they include the UV filtering jacket with the bulb. DE bulbs need a UV Filtering lens to prevent UV damage to reef inhabitants as well as you.

DE bulbs are a European development and rather limited in selection as well as specific in their uses (reef). Some people say they provide more intensity than SE bulbs."

naprestsleep · 05/29/2008, 11:32 AM

Thanks -- I knew they were physically different (single vs double) but that was about it. Looks like I will stick with the SE pendant.

So I will be going with the Coralvue Lumenbrite and Coralvue 250w ballast over my 92 corner. Probably use the 12K bulb.

HumanIMDB · 05/29/2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by naprestsleep
So I will be going with the Coralvue Lumenbrite and Coralvue 250w ballast over my 92 corner. Probably use the 12K bulb.

We are going with pretty much that exact system for our AGA92 Corner, here is our plan:

Coralvue Lumen Bright Reflector SE Large Pendant
Coralvue Reeflux 400w 12,000K
Coralvue 400watt Dimmable Electronic Ballast

naprestsleep · 05/29/2008, 11:44 AM

lol, for some reason I thought you were going Lumenarc prendant.

I am tempted to go 400w but afraid of the heat, I do not have a chiller or sump.

HumanIMDB · 05/29/2008, 11:56 AM

That was the plan until we found a local supplier for the Lumen Brights...a friend of ours got the Lumenarc from the US and is still complaining about the shipping/duty/taxes he had to pay on it.

Also, researching that setup, I've discovered it to be a better setup than the Lumenarc...or so the reviews I've read state...and it appears that a lot of people run that setup here on RC.

Do you have a hood or are you suspending it about the tank? We don't have a hood and I figured with an open top, we shouldn't have any heat issues. We already have a fan on the sump just in case and could easily put one on the top if needed.

We will likely be getting our light in August/September, so we won't know until then.

seapug · 05/29/2008, 12:07 PM

There's also a tendency for DE bulbs to look more blue than SE bulbs at the same K rating. For example, a 14K SE may look the same or even less blue than a 12K DE. Just something to keep in mind.

naprestsleep · 05/29/2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HumanIMDB
That was the plan until we found a local supplier for the Lumen Brights...a friend of ours got the Lumenarc from the US and is still complaining about the shipping/duty/taxes he had to pay on it.

Also, researching that setup, I've discovered it to be a better setup than the Lumenarc...or so the reviews I've read state...and it appears that a lot of people run that setup here on RC.

Do you have a hood or are you suspending it about the tank? We don't have a hood and I figured with an open top, we shouldn't have any heat issues. We already have a fan on the sump just in case and could easily put one on the top if needed.

We will likely be getting our light in August/September, so we won't know until then.

I got an open top, using egg crate to keep the fish in and the cats out. I will be hanging the pendant from the ceiling. I might go with the 400W and if its to much I can add a fan over the water surface. I also am tempted to buy one of the dimmable coralvue ballasts for a little more flexibility.

HumanIMDB · 05/29/2008, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by naprestsleep
I got an open top, using egg crate to keep the fish in and the cats out. I will be hanging the pendant from the ceiling. I might go with the 400W and if its to much I can add a fan over the water surface. I also am tempted to buy one of the dimmable coralvue ballasts for a little more flexibility.

Same here...I hope you post pics!

The dimmable ballast is only $5 more than the non-dimmable, so it's pretty much a no brainer...my only concern is "is that one more thing to go wrong/break on the ballast"?

naprestsleep · 05/29/2008, 12:18 PM

Yeah my thought too about the dimmable, plus once its set I doubt I will by changing it much.

05/29/2008, 11:23 AM	#1
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 987	Metal Halide Bulb types SE vs DE MH Which is better? I have narrowed down the make/model of mh pendant I want but don't know if SE or DE socket should be bought. The SE pendant cheaper but both accept 12K-14K bulb I want. Any comments?

05/29/2008, 11:27 AM	#2
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	Here is how it was explained to me: "DE stands for double ended. SE stands for single ended. Single ended are bigger because they include the UV filtering jacket with the bulb. DE bulbs need a UV Filtering lens to prevent UV damage to reef inhabitants as well as you. DE bulbs are a European development and rather limited in selection as well as specific in their uses (reef). Some people say they provide more intensity than SE bulbs." __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

05/29/2008, 11:56 AM	#6
HumanIMDB Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, MB Posts: 1,556	That was the plan until we found a local supplier for the Lumen Brights...a friend of ours got the Lumenarc from the US and is still complaining about the shipping/duty/taxes he had to pay on it. Also, researching that setup, I've discovered it to be a better setup than the Lumenarc...or so the reviews I've read state...and it appears that a lot of people run that setup here on RC. Do you have a hood or are you suspending it about the tank? We don't have a hood and I figured with an open top, we shouldn't have any heat issues. We already have a fan on the sump just in case and could easily put one on the top if needed. We will likely be getting our light in August/September, so we won't know until then. __________________ Chris Rivers Will do computer support for frags. :) Click on the Red House to see our AGA92 Corner Reef Tank Build thread. Current Tank Info: 10 Gal (Aqualight 96W Quad 50/50, AquaClear Power Filter 70 with Chaeto lit by 6500K Bulb, AquaClear Power Head 20, 50w Tronic Heater), 92 Gal All-Glass Corner (Cycling)

05/29/2008, 12:07 PM	#7
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	There's also a tendency for DE bulbs to look more blue than SE bulbs at the same K rating. For example, a 14K SE may look the same or even less blue than a 12K DE. Just something to keep in mind. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

05/29/2008, 11:32 AM	#3
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 987	Thanks -- I knew they were physically different (single vs double) but that was about it. Looks like I will stick with the SE pendant. So I will be going with the Coralvue Lumenbrite and Coralvue 250w ballast over my 92 corner. Probably use the 12K bulb.

05/29/2008, 11:44 AM	#5
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 987	lol, for some reason I thought you were going Lumenarc prendant. I am tempted to go 400w but afraid of the heat, I do not have a chiller or sump.

05/29/2008, 12:18 PM	#10
naprestsleep blank Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 987	Yeah my thought too about the dimmable, plus once its set I doubt I will by changing it much.