single ended bulbs vs. double ended bulbs
 

Never had MH light before and I was wondering what the difference between the two kinds. Pros/Cons.

SE pros:
-higher PAR output (because no tempered glass shield is required)
-slightly greatly light spread
-easier to install than DE

DE pros:
-compact size
-easier to clean salt spray off of (because of the tempered glass shield)

It used to be that there was a greater variety of SE bulbs, but that's no longer true although many DE guys still long for the day that Radium comes out with a DE bulb.

Is it harder to get SE bulbs?

Im switching from DE to Se at the moment myself mainly for the radium bulb. If radium had a DE bulb I dont think I would make the switch.

Nope

any thoughts on degenbao fixtures?(probably seen the ad)

Not THIS guy =) Although I'm only rocking 150w it's DE Radium. I love this bulb!

Having said that...when I upgrade I'll be right back to 250w SE to keep the Radium glow alive. Not sure how easy that will be now that nobody is making an M80 ballast to my knowledge.

Aqua medic is producing the reeflex cube that is a true m80 mag ballast and its pretty cool looking IMO

Well that's tasty news indeed. I had heard the actual main manufacturer of those ballasts (Blue waves and PFO used them) had ceased production. Good news!

heres a link and sorry for the thread hijack lol

http://www.aqua-medic.com/reeflex_ma..._ballast.shtml