sfsuphysics
Supporting Member
Posted this in the SPS section at RC but figured I'd get the locals take on things.
Hopefully I won't start a huge flame fest here, but what is a better form of lighting? I remember hearing DE bulbs were better because of being smaller and penetrating deeper, but now there seems to be a big switch back towards the SE bulbs. I've heard of "less yellow" (for 10kK specifically), but what about the lighting intensity? Also do those lighting comparison places (I'm thinking Sanjay's specifically) take into account the reflector setup? So would a Reef Optics III (DE) give significantly more light into the tank than a spider reflector(SE)?
Then there's the question of ballast, is there really any reason to have an electronic one? Does it do anything "special" for the bulbs? Make them last longer? I know magnetic ran MHs tend to be brighter because they overdrive them slightly (or electronics underdrive) but anything else? I mean ok sure more heat on magnetic ballasts and the bulbs as a result of having more current running through them but is there a reason to want electronic ballasts?
I'm just thinking of upgrading soon to from 175w bulbs to 250w bulbs and just wanted to know what the lighting freaks (aka SPS keepers) think.
Hopefully I won't start a huge flame fest here, but what is a better form of lighting? I remember hearing DE bulbs were better because of being smaller and penetrating deeper, but now there seems to be a big switch back towards the SE bulbs. I've heard of "less yellow" (for 10kK specifically), but what about the lighting intensity? Also do those lighting comparison places (I'm thinking Sanjay's specifically) take into account the reflector setup? So would a Reef Optics III (DE) give significantly more light into the tank than a spider reflector(SE)?
Then there's the question of ballast, is there really any reason to have an electronic one? Does it do anything "special" for the bulbs? Make them last longer? I know magnetic ran MHs tend to be brighter because they overdrive them slightly (or electronics underdrive) but anything else? I mean ok sure more heat on magnetic ballasts and the bulbs as a result of having more current running through them but is there a reason to want electronic ballasts?
I'm just thinking of upgrading soon to from 175w bulbs to 250w bulbs and just wanted to know what the lighting freaks (aka SPS keepers) think.