HQI vs. MH (Reef Pros please help me)
- Thread starter detane
- Start date
pbnj
Member
HQI usually refers to double-ended MH lamps and ballasts.....
"HQI systems offer many of the same features as the metal halides, but differ in design. The bulb is much smaller than the halides and is double-ended. Many of the ballasts for the metal halides can also be used for HQIs. The HQI bulbs, however, require a system-specific socket. There is less of a variety of spectrums and wattages to choose from compared to the metal halides. HQIs are commonly offered in 150 watt and 250-watt systems with spectrums of 10,000K and 20,000K."
"HQI systems offer many of the same features as the metal halides, but differ in design. The bulb is much smaller than the halides and is double-ended. Many of the ballasts for the metal halides can also be used for HQIs. The HQI bulbs, however, require a system-specific socket. There is less of a variety of spectrums and wattages to choose from compared to the metal halides. HQIs are commonly offered in 150 watt and 250-watt systems with spectrums of 10,000K and 20,000K."
stanlalee
Active Member
I'm no pro but I've had both and as far as I'm concerned single ended bulbs are better for intensity due to the lack of sheilding which is a significant PAR sapper with double ended bulbs (if you sheild a SE bulb then that would equalize things) and I havent had many reflectors but from what I've seen single ended bulbs at least with standard cheap reflectors offer superior coverage. and I've read all the this and that about the smaller size of double ended bulbs allowing them to be reflected better. I havent seen it. I've seen 6ft tanks decently covered with two single ended bulbs at a reasonably low height and regular reflectors (can see where the beams cross) but I have never seen double ended bulbs do a decent job of covering 3ft without a $150 reflector.
As far as wattage first there is no MH vs HQI. Metal halides are metal halides and HQI ballast are HQI ballast. HQI doesn't signify double ended. 250w Radiums and Sunburst bulbs are single ended bulbs designed to run on HQI ballast. There are double ended bulbs designed to run on electronic ballast. Not that they wont fire in either case but they wont perform exactly as the manufacturer intended. HQI designates a ballast not a bulb configuration. there's HQI, Pulse start, Probe start and electronic. HQI ballast drive ALL bulbs with more wattage and are perfectly able to run single ended bulbs though it may overdrive and shorten the life of those not intended to run on an HQI ballast. Since HQI ballast are the only magnetic ballast that can fire double ended bulbs naturally double ended bulbs have a reputation for being more powerful BUT on an electronic ballast that may or may not be the case. 400w HQI ballast do not exist. they are 430w mecury vapor ballast sold or branded as "HQI". Thats why Radiums and ALL the 400w bulbs that are HQI in other wattages are mysteriously pulse start or designed for electronic in 400w.
Anyhow the only way I pick double ended over single ended would be for space considerations. DE are much more compact. nano's, narrow canopy's ect.
As far as wattage first there is no MH vs HQI. Metal halides are metal halides and HQI ballast are HQI ballast. HQI doesn't signify double ended. 250w Radiums and Sunburst bulbs are single ended bulbs designed to run on HQI ballast. There are double ended bulbs designed to run on electronic ballast. Not that they wont fire in either case but they wont perform exactly as the manufacturer intended. HQI designates a ballast not a bulb configuration. there's HQI, Pulse start, Probe start and electronic. HQI ballast drive ALL bulbs with more wattage and are perfectly able to run single ended bulbs though it may overdrive and shorten the life of those not intended to run on an HQI ballast. Since HQI ballast are the only magnetic ballast that can fire double ended bulbs naturally double ended bulbs have a reputation for being more powerful BUT on an electronic ballast that may or may not be the case. 400w HQI ballast do not exist. they are 430w mecury vapor ballast sold or branded as "HQI". Thats why Radiums and ALL the 400w bulbs that are HQI in other wattages are mysteriously pulse start or designed for electronic in 400w.
Anyhow the only way I pick double ended over single ended would be for space considerations. DE are much more compact. nano's, narrow canopy's ect.
detane
Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3012045
I'm no pro but I've had both and as far as I'm concerned single ended bulbs are better for intensity due to the lack of sheilding which is a significant PAR sapper with double ended bulbs (if you sheild a SE bulb then that would equalize things) and I havent had many reflectors but from what I've seen single ended bulbs at least with standard cheap reflectors offer superior coverage. and I've read all the this and that about the smaller size of double ended bulbs allowing them to be reflected better. I havent seen it. I've seen 6ft tanks decently covered with two single ended bulbs at a reasonably low height and regular reflectors (can see where the beams cross) but I have never seen double ended bulbs do a decent job of covering 3ft without a $150 reflector.
As far as wattage first there is no MH vs HQI. Metal halides are metal halides and HQI ballast are HQI ballast. HQI doesn't signify double ended. 250w Radiums and Sunburst bulbs are single ended bulbs designed to run on HQI ballast. There are double ended bulbs designed to run on electronic ballast. Not that they wont fire in either case but they wont perform exactly as the manufacturer intended. HQI designates a ballast not a bulb configuration. there's HQI, Pulse start, Probe start and electronic. HQI ballast drive ALL bulbs with more wattage and are perfectly able to run single ended bulbs though it may overdrive and shorten the life of those not intended to run on an HQI ballast. Since HQI ballast are the only magnetic ballast that can fire double ended bulbs naturally double ended bulbs have a reputation for being more powerful BUT on an electronic ballast that may or may not be the case. 400w HQI ballast do not exist. they are 430w mecury vapor ballast sold or branded as "HQI". Thats why Radiums and ALL the 400w bulbs that are HQI in other wattages are mysteriously pulse start or designed for electronic in 400w.
Anyhow the only way I pick double ended over single ended would be for space considerations. DE are much more compact. nano's, narrow canopy's ect.
GREAT INFO, THANKS...
http:///forum/post/3012045
I'm no pro but I've had both and as far as I'm concerned single ended bulbs are better for intensity due to the lack of sheilding which is a significant PAR sapper with double ended bulbs (if you sheild a SE bulb then that would equalize things) and I havent had many reflectors but from what I've seen single ended bulbs at least with standard cheap reflectors offer superior coverage. and I've read all the this and that about the smaller size of double ended bulbs allowing them to be reflected better. I havent seen it. I've seen 6ft tanks decently covered with two single ended bulbs at a reasonably low height and regular reflectors (can see where the beams cross) but I have never seen double ended bulbs do a decent job of covering 3ft without a $150 reflector.
As far as wattage first there is no MH vs HQI. Metal halides are metal halides and HQI ballast are HQI ballast. HQI doesn't signify double ended. 250w Radiums and Sunburst bulbs are single ended bulbs designed to run on HQI ballast. There are double ended bulbs designed to run on electronic ballast. Not that they wont fire in either case but they wont perform exactly as the manufacturer intended. HQI designates a ballast not a bulb configuration. there's HQI, Pulse start, Probe start and electronic. HQI ballast drive ALL bulbs with more wattage and are perfectly able to run single ended bulbs though it may overdrive and shorten the life of those not intended to run on an HQI ballast. Since HQI ballast are the only magnetic ballast that can fire double ended bulbs naturally double ended bulbs have a reputation for being more powerful BUT on an electronic ballast that may or may not be the case. 400w HQI ballast do not exist. they are 430w mecury vapor ballast sold or branded as "HQI". Thats why Radiums and ALL the 400w bulbs that are HQI in other wattages are mysteriously pulse start or designed for electronic in 400w.
Anyhow the only way I pick double ended over single ended would be for space considerations. DE are much more compact. nano's, narrow canopy's ect.
GREAT INFO, THANKS...