DE or SE ?

[nater]

i am planning my upgrade to 250mh on my 90 gallon oceanic tech. Should i go with DE or SE ? it's a mixed reef now, want more sps in the tank. i have yet to see a thread on comparison between the two. if there is one , throw a link. let me know what you all think.

 

[amore169]

I would really go with SE, more light bulb options and a lot easier to replace, I have DE and I hate to replace them because u need to be really careful not to break the ends.

 

[Azurel]

I also think that the SE gives you more glitter lines as well....I have seen both side by side and like the overall look of SE bulbs.

 

[Blackhawk Fan]

SE all the way.

 

[benny z]

+1 for se for the already mentioned reasons, biggest imo being bulb choice. de is very limited.

 

[Paul_N]

I am in the process of switching from DE to SE

 

[nater]

Thanks for the feedback. Looks like SE it is. Can't wait. Any bulb suggestions also ? I will be going with vho acentics and maybe a reefbright or.. ? All input appreciated.

 

[benny z]

reefbrite will take the place of vho actinics imo. there is NOTHING like them by way of flouerescent offerings IMHO - and i have been a long time vho super actinic user. plus with your actinic-only period you will get shimmer with the reefbrites. plus they last "forever" and have zero heat output.

 

[AZDesertRat]

DE like T5 is very dependent on the reflectors. SE is more lenient when it comes to reflector choice. I agree SE has more bulb choices. I used DE in a pendant over my frag tank, thats where the are nice, where a SE gets bulky in a pendant.

 

[kuyatwo]

SE so you can run radiums

 

[butts182]

+1 SE for Radiums