MH vs HQI

DE bulb last longer and typically have smaller enclosures.
SE has better bulb selection for now,there total cost for a setup is cheaper, and don't need the UV glass because it is built into the bulbs.

 

i was just about to mention that.....not that you'd sit right under an mh bulb for hours (i suppose some of us do) but in order to protect yourself, you would need to cover the light output of a DE bulb with UV glass. from what i know is that DE bulbs have much more intensity and PAR than standard mogul (SE) metal halide bulbs. the DE bulbs do run at higher temperatures and for the most part need to be run on electronic ballasts. i've also heard input from several reefers that they've had healthier and considerable significant growth of corals when using a good DE bulb paired with good reflectors and an electronic ballast. hth.

 

That seems to go along with my experience. My new 70w HQI (DE) lamp with electronic ballast rocks on my 20 long. I was worried about that initially. But not anymore. My acros are branching out a bit after just a couple weeks.

 

I thought the difference was that the HQI was cheaper on your electric bill. Is it?

 

::ahem::

 

an electronic ballast will definitely use less electricity than a magnetic ballast, although if you compared apples to apples the amount isn't all that noticeable...especially if you are only running one bulb. so to answer your questions a DE will definitely prove to be more beneficial in all aspects....and i'm sure there won't be any significant shimmer difference in whatever design of bulb you decide to use (your shimmer from mh bulbs tends to depend upon the water movement within the tank anyway). hth.