Should I change my lighting? 250W DE to 250W SE??? OPINIONS PLEASE?

whalloper · 12/09/2006, 08:38 PM

Hi all,

I really need your opinions...I have been thinking of switching to Single ended bulbs because of their increased PAR.

I currently have 2x250W Aqualine Buschke 20000K double ended bulbs over my 72 gal. They are shielded of course and are about 6" above water surface. They have a PAR of about 45 in my situation.

I was thinking of switching to 2x250W Radium 20K single ended bulbs which would have a PAR of about 66 (on electronic ballast, which I probably wouldnt use)

Would this be worth it, considering I would have to get the SE bulbs higher away from my water since there wouldnt be a glass shield?

aquarius77 · 12/10/2006, 01:01 AM

Whats the height of your tank?

IPowderBlueTang · 12/10/2006, 03:03 AM

I prefer the SE over the DE, I find the DE in friends tanks look more like spot lights compared to SE that cover the whole tank. I use 2 250 watt SE on a 120 gal 5 footer and love the coverage. A friend has 2 150 watt DE on the same tank looks like spot lights shining in his tank and dark spots where the light don't shine!

michaeldaly · 12/10/2006, 07:54 AM

I have always heard that the DE bulbs are more powerfull, but I might be wrong.

whalloper · 12/10/2006, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by aquarius77
Whats the height of your tank?

The height is about 20-22" taking the sandbed into account

DSMpunk · 12/10/2006, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by michaeldaly
I have always heard that the DE bulbs are more powerfull, but I might be wrong.

Not really, they are just more focused. Think of turning the focusing thingy on a flashlight, if you concentrate it more it gets brighter but narrower. SE and DE bulbs are basically the same thing, but because of how they are shaped I think the reflectors are built different and therefore reflect light differently.

I think which bulb to use is situational. My tank is only 18 inches deep and my DE's look great (no spotlight look) but if I had a deeper tank then I would switch to SE I think.

12/09/2006, 08:38 PM	#1
whalloper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 317	Should I change my lighting? 250W DE to 250W SE??? OPINIONS PLEASE? Hi all, I really need your opinions...I have been thinking of switching to Single ended bulbs because of their increased PAR. I currently have 2x250W Aqualine Buschke 20000K double ended bulbs over my 72 gal. They are shielded of course and are about 6" above water surface. They have a PAR of about 45 in my situation. I was thinking of switching to 2x250W Radium 20K single ended bulbs which would have a PAR of about 66 (on electronic ballast, which I probably wouldnt use) Would this be worth it, considering I would have to get the SE bulbs higher away from my water since there wouldnt be a glass shield? __________________ Please let me know when they invent the device which makes water changes unnecessary and foolish... I cant wait Current Tank Info: 72 gal mixed reef (SPS acros montis stylo miles, LPS, zoos, shrooms, clams, xenia, chili) 26 gal zoo/softies/LPS reef Last edited by whalloper; 12/09/2006 at 09:12 PM.

12/10/2006, 01:01 AM	#2
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	Whats the height of your tank?

12/10/2006, 03:03 AM	#3
IPowderBlueTang Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Canada Posts: 769	I prefer the SE over the DE, I find the DE in friends tanks look more like spot lights compared to SE that cover the whole tank. I use 2 250 watt SE on a 120 gal 5 footer and love the coverage. A friend has 2 150 watt DE on the same tank looks like spot lights shining in his tank and dark spots where the light don't shine!

12/10/2006, 07:54 AM	#4
michaeldaly Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Earth Posts: 2,009	I have always heard that the DE bulbs are more powerfull, but I might be wrong.