HQI (DE) allows more light output than a SE of the same wattage
a SE bulb has the outter UV filter glass built into the bulb
the DE will need to be ran in a mini-fixture
I prefer HQI DE halides
I thought about getting double ended bulbs until a very specialized coral shop showed me how hot those get and also said he has seen many corals get burned by them. He said and I agree to stick with se mh's and vho's. But hey thats just me and I live in HOT Florida. Carrie
DEs get just as hot as SEs of the same wattage
a watt of heat is a watt of heat no matter the bulb format
i have SEs and DEs.... both at 250w... i can tell no difference in their operating temperature
as far as DEs burning corals.... maybe they could burn if not acclimated properly... but the same can be said for SEs