Which Halide is best?

[faze07hd]

Im torn between the two and would like to get some input.

Could you also state why you chose that specific setting?

 

[BigJay]

I went single end for more bulb choice and easier replacement.

Double enders can be a little tricky to remove from the clips.

 

[faze07hd]

True, but changing them only happens once every 10 months or so. I heard that DE's have higher PAR ratings and are overall a better bulb for your corals. Is this true?

 

[Guygettnby]

i chose DE for several reasons. although they both have there goods and bads.

Double ended
1: small and compact. easy to fit almost anywere
2: need UV glass
3: Lots of different bulb choices out there

Single ended
1: no need for a glass cover. UV glass built into bulb
2: not as many bulb choices
3: bigger then DE and takes up more room
4: simpler replacment then DE
5: bulbs have been cheaper for me

there are many other things different but the fact still is this. they are both still great bulbs to use and they catter to different peoples needs. like i have acouple of pendants with no place to put UV glass. so i use SE in those. i use DE on my other tanks that i dont have as much room to work with. i have also never heard of SE or DE putting out more par then the other. that all depends on the type of bulb, watts, K rating and so on.

 

[Entropy]

I like single ended for many reasons. You can touch them without worrying about getting oil from your skin on them. You can clean them. You don't need a UV shield between the bulb and the tank. There are more bulb choices. They are more durable. Finally, if you factor in the UV shield and the likely hood that you will not religiously clean it, I think the Par readings will be similar on average.

 

[mcrist]

I read somewhere once that DE produce less heat than SE, is that true?