Is a 150 watt DE HQI bulb the same length as a 250?

[prhoades]

Title pretty much says it. Are the two bulbs the same length? Wanting to switch from a 250w to a 150w on my 20 high. Its one of those Odyssea type fixtures with an Icecap 250 ballast, thinking about going to a 150, want to keep the fixture but wondered if the bulb will fit.

 

[reefscape15]

If you are downsizing, it will definately fit size wise, but you need to change out the ballast also. I'm not really sure if there is a diferance in length of the bulb, but the socket size is the same for 175, 250, and 400. If a 175 is shorter, there would be no problem having dnough room, and if it's the same length, it would fit as well. I know it's not longer, so you should be ok. Just remember you always need to match the proper wattage ballast with MH bulbs, or you run the risk of an exploding bulb, or burning up a ballast. Also, you need to find out if the bulb you get is Pulse start, or Probe start. An electronic ballast will run both types of bulbs, but if you get a magnetic ballast, you can only run Probe start bulbs.

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-03/sj/index.php

The above link has almost everything you want to know about MH lighting. There is a nice list of what brands of bulbs are the Probe start type, and Pulse start type. Check it out

 

[reefscape15]

OOPS!!!! I didn't see that you were asking about DE bulbs! I really don't have any experiance with them, but i'm sure that link will help

 

[nwrogers]

My guess is they are not but I use SE bulbs so I can't say for sure...

 

[Piazzon12]

I'm sure you could just call champion or hellolights and find out

 

[prhoades]

Adam, Good point, I guess I didn't think about that!

Nate, I believe that the 150 is shorter, just don't know if it is an amount that I could adjust the "clips" to.

Jim, The link didn't talk about DE bulb length, but there was a lot of other good info in it, added that one my favorites also.

I'll probably just call on Monday to ask, makes sense!!!