Question To aSk

[DeadmanZ]

Hi bros, can someone explain to me what are the different kinds of MH bulbs there are ? Example those DE or SE and what 10k or 14k.. Very Blur about them.. Would appreciate it if someone explains to me.. Thanks.

[jem]

DE means "Double Ended"

SE means "Single Ended"

10k/15k refers more to the colour intensity i guess

[jem]

Double Ended

[jem]

Single Ended

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[aquarix]

so which one is better???

DE or SE??

what is recommended watts for mh???

70w, 150w or 250w??

my tank is 28x18x18...

any recommendation??

looking for hang on ceiling type...

[Alvin Tan]

so which one is better???

DE or SE??

what is recommended watts for mh???

70w, 150w or 250w??

my tank is 28x18x18...

any recommendation??

looking for hang on ceiling type...

normally ppl use double end tubes...for a LPS mixed reef...150w is a no prob with a 20k tube....

u can try those pendant type or black galaxy...but black glaxy need to modify the timer first..

[DeadmanZ]

hmm... so if light set is DE Bulbs, SE bulbs canot b use? or both also can b use ?

[cityofangels]

It depends on what you want to keep in your tank before you decide on 70w, 150w or 250w MH.

For most LPS, you don't need a high intensity bulb. 150w will be more than sufficient. For clams, 150w is good enough, if I am not mistaken.

For SPS, errm.. I'm not too sure. Would be good if the more experienced reefers keeping SPS to advice you on that.

[Flame-Tail]

From what i've read .I think sps needs a min of 250w

[ervine]

From what i've read .I think sps needs a min of 250w

well.. that depends on other factors such as distance from bulb to water, depth of water etc... bulb temperature will also come into play as well....

also don get confused.. DE bulbs = double ended.. but DE is also one of our sponsors, Dr. Evil...

[AlfaRomeo]

Aquarix, 18 inch ht can get away with 150w MHs. Also note that lights are only 1 part of an elaborate qequation when it comes to SPSes.

Generally, 18 inch to 30 inch ht will need at least 250w Mhs if planning on SPSes.

10k/14k/20k are color temperatures.

[DeadmanZ]

How come some bulbs look blue while some is whitE ? is it 10k = blue while 20k = white?

[AlfaRomeo]

Generally, the higher the K rating , the bluer it gets.. 6.5kk is yellowish, 10kk is white, 14kk is bluish and 20kk is blue. Generally.

[Clownfish]

hmm... so if light set is DE Bulbs, SE bulbs canot b use? or both also can b use ?

DE and SE different sockets... not interchangeable

[Flame-Tail]

well.. that depends on other factors such as distance from bulb to water, depth of water etc... bulb temperature will also come into play as well....

also don get confused.. DE bulbs = double ended.. but DE is also one of our sponsors, Dr. Evil...

Gd to know..Thanks for the info

[DeadmanZ]

IciC.. So it means that best is dont get both 20k bulbs else it'll turn out blue right? Which is to say to the best is either getting 2 10k bulbs or 1 x 20k n 1 x 10k bulb ?

Anyway, thx for all the advise given..helps alot.

[mUAr_cHEe]

they say that DE bulbs are better... more stable in light... as the bulb is fired up from both ends.... more intense lighting....

whereas... SE bulbs not so strong..... something like that..... thats why SE bulbs no need UV glass....

[DeadmanZ]

yA...understood liao bros.. but regarding my last question on the combination of bulbs i still in doubt.

[Clownfish]

BLV has a new 14K too... might be a choice for u too

[mUAr_cHEe]

yA...understood liao bros.. but regarding my last question on the combination of bulbs i still in doubt.

personal preference.....

i like only 10kks....

some ppl like a good balance.... 14kk is good to them...

some ppl see blue film whole life... so pure 20kks looks good to them... and maybe some of them like the more 'floruescent' colour....

some people dun care asthetics... want good growth.... wack the 6500ks..... that one provide more natural spectrum... very yellow nia....

[ciaolong]

6.5k - 10k usally give our the true colours of the corals

14 and 20k is an addition of colours so basicly u not getting the real colours ....

though some ppl dont like to yellow blubs so they usally go 14k i am going to be trying the new BLV 14 k which i hear is white based so not that blue

also the higher K the short the lifespan of the blub

example a 6.5K can last almost 2 years before it start losing its colour

[DeadmanZ]

hmmm...think i understand liao... thanks alot to the bros who helped... but as what bro ciaolong said '6.5k - 10k usally give our the true colours of the corals' and 'also the higher K the short the lifespan of the blub '. So can i say that bulbs from 6.5k - 10k will be the better choice since it shows true color and longer lifespan ?

[AlfaRomeo]

Yup, but they tend to be a bit yellowish. I would go for the new BLV 14kk bulbs as they are pure white according to ppl who are running the bulbs now.

[DeadmanZ]

What does BLV stands for ?

[ciaolong]

its a brand alot of ppl dont like to go below 10 k cause its to yellow but i been to a tank with 6500k all of his lights were the same and i have to say they were that yellow ... cause there were no other light to compare to but if u to mix the 6500k with a 10k or etc u will see the difference of course