I just bought a SE Phoenix 250w 14k bulb from OA. Still burning in. Bluer than the SE 250w 14k Aquaconnect so far.

is the SE also an hqi bulb? are you running it as such?

I am running it on an electronic ballast. I found this online though.

Phoenix 250 Watt 14,000K (Single Ended) Features and Benefits:
- 14,000 Kelvin Color Temperature (Crisp White Light/Blue Tint)
- The Best Combination of Color and PAR
- Excellent With or Without Actinic Supplementation
- Operate on a HQI Metal Halide Ballast, Pulse-Start Ballast or Electronic Ballast

I though HQI was a DE variant?

HQI and DE are not the same although this seems to be a common misconception. HQI is a type of ballast that can run DE and SE bulbs. I ran 3 HQI ballasts firing 3 SE mogul bulbs. If you check Sanjay's lighting reviews, the HQI ballasts provide the highest PAR values for the same bulb vs other ballast types.

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issu...4/feature2.htm

I always adjust the clips on the fixture. I loosen the screws, put the bulb in and then tighten the screws.