DE vs SE setups.

[Samw]

There should be 2 or 3 threads on this. Given the same ballast and bulb brand and color temp, the SE will give slightly higher PAR. The advantage of the DE is size.

http://www.canreef.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=13604

Try it out for yourself.

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/select2lamp.php

Pick the same watt (ex. 250W), the same manufacturer (ex. Ushio or XM), the same ballast (example PFO HQI 250W). Then on one side, pick Single Ended (Ex. 10K SE), and on the other side, pick Double Ended with the same color temp (Ex 10K DE). Pick either shield or non shielded. Click submit.

Example output:

250W Icecap Ballast
10K Ushio SE: 85 PPFD
10K Ushio DE Shielded: 65 PPFD
10K Ushio DE Not Shielded: 78 PPFD

250W PFO HQI Ballast
10K XM SE: 182 PPFD
10K XM DE Shielded: 109 PPFD
10K XM DE Not Shielded: 136 PPFD

250W PFO HQI Ballast
10K AB SE: 130 PPFD
10K AB DE Shielded: 104 PPFD
10K AB DE Not Shielded: 128 PPFD

[StirCrazy]

SE on the same set up will give a brighter light over a larger area, but like said befor more bulky. DE is for people with limited room. My recomendation is to always try to go with a good SE set up (This will save you money and give you more light) and if that won't work then look at a DE set up.

Steve

[Psyire]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

SE on the same set up will give a brighter light over a larger area, but like said befor more bulky. DE is for people with limited room. My recomendation is to always try to go with a good SE set up (This will save you money and give you more light) and if that won't work then look at a DE set up.

Steve

I agree 100% with this comment. My 250w SE setup with Electronic Ballasts and Lumenarc III reflectors will out do almost all (if not all) 250w DE setups.

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by Samw

Given the same ballast and bulb brand and color temp, the SE will give slightly higher PAR.

Example output:

250W Icecap Ballast
10K Ushio SE: 85 PPFD
10K Ushio DE Shielded: 65 PPFD
10K Ushio DE Not Shielded: 78 PPFD

250W PFO HQI Ballast
10K XM SE: 182 PPFD
10K XM DE Shielded: 109 PPFD
10K XM DE Not Shielded: 136 PPFD

250W PFO HQI Ballast
10K AB SE: 130 PPFD
10K AB DE Shielded: 104 PPFD
10K AB DE Not Shielded: 128 PPFD

Considering a DE bulb should never be run "Unshielded" the SE will give significantly more, not slightly more, PAR output.

Steve