HQI vs Mogul base MH
- Thread starter freshwater
- Start date
Well, since noone else answered... 
HQI is a brand name for double-ended Metal Halide HID lamps. They are fairly common, the technology is used rather regularly. The main difference between the two, is that HQI bulbs have two contact points, whereas Mogul's screw in like a regular light bulb - one contact point. This should be important to you, as you will need different sockets/reflectors to handle mogul or HQI-style bulbs.
The theory is that HQI's burn a little hotter and brighter, because they have a longer Arc inside the tube (the "arc-tube" is that 'warp-core' looking thing on the inside of the MH bulb). The bigger the arc, the more gas that gets excited, and the more light it gives off. They do pull slightly more current I believe as well, and are known to kick out a fair amount of UV light (so watch yourself around one).
All told, since you mention you're setting up a clam tank, I'd say the HQI's are better suited - they are more intense, and will penetrate deeper than mogul lamps (albeit very slightly more).
- Mac
HQI is a brand name for double-ended Metal Halide HID lamps. They are fairly common, the technology is used rather regularly. The main difference between the two, is that HQI bulbs have two contact points, whereas Mogul's screw in like a regular light bulb - one contact point. This should be important to you, as you will need different sockets/reflectors to handle mogul or HQI-style bulbs.
The theory is that HQI's burn a little hotter and brighter, because they have a longer Arc inside the tube (the "arc-tube" is that 'warp-core' looking thing on the inside of the MH bulb). The bigger the arc, the more gas that gets excited, and the more light it gives off. They do pull slightly more current I believe as well, and are known to kick out a fair amount of UV light (so watch yourself around one).
All told, since you mention you're setting up a clam tank, I'd say the HQI's are better suited - they are more intense, and will penetrate deeper than mogul lamps (albeit very slightly more).
- Mac
I have both Iwasaki 6500’s and HQI 250’s
The HQI lamps are brighter and can penetrate deeper depths in your reef tank. They do put out more UV however I use UV filters on the reflector assy. I think they are a better deal for the power consumed however the increased cost of startup may offset this. I have not ran SPS coral under them yet so it is hard for me to have a frame of reference other than casual observations.
I have talked to several people that converted from 400w Iwsaki lamps to 250HQI lamps. They have told me that the HQI output is similar to the 400w lamps and the power savings is very real. Unless your power is very expensive I would think that the increased cost of HQI would not be worth it.
A newer metal halide technology is called “pulse start” this technology does not affect the output or efficiency of the lamp but extends the lamp life, reduces color shift, and allows the lamp to restrike faster. This technology would reduce your relamping cost. All the efficiency in the world is not worth it if you run your lamps beyond their normal life. Their output will drop and you won’t get as much light out of them. Also the color temperatures will shift and the general quality of the lamp will degrade. This will happen with any HID type lamp but is reduced with pulse start lamps. They do require special ballast. These lamps have nothing to do with HQI lamps.
Radio Frequency excited sulfur lamps are on the horizon. These lamps have an infinite life span and have a very natural spectrum output. They are brighter than the sun, have no color shift, never wear out, and are the perfect lamp. The problem is they use a microwave magnetron to excite the lamp and the lamp is spinning at 4800 RPMs in a special fixture. This technology is expensive at about 8k for a 1400w lamp. They are about twice as efficient as a standard MH lamp. Running prototypes are in operation and commercial units will be available first quarter of 03. I expect to get an evaluation setup in February and will send the unit to Sanjay for evaluation but it looks like this is the future of high performance lighting.
LED lighting is very exciting and may be in the reefing future. LEDs produce little heat “similar to a sulfur lamp” and can be quickly changed in intensity. You would be able to simulate sunrise, set, cloud cover, and even rainstorms. They are having efficiency problems and phosphorus problems with the white led’s . They are very expensive and we probably won’t see them for 3-5 more years in the hobby.
To summarize with all this new technology coming out it may be in your favor to run a simple setup such as an Iwasaki 6500 on MV ballast as you may be upgrading in a few years. These setups can be put assembled DIY for less than $100.00 /250w lamp.
PS don’t forget that the reflector is one of the most important parts of your system. All the efficiency and output is wasted if you don’t have a nice reflector. Lumnaarc III or IV reflectors are very nice. Spider reflectors also work well. The reflector is one of the most overlooked items in a lighting solution. It is also one of the most important. Good luck and don’t do what I did and purchase your lighting solution several times before you figured out what is best for your reef.
The HQI lamps are brighter and can penetrate deeper depths in your reef tank. They do put out more UV however I use UV filters on the reflector assy. I think they are a better deal for the power consumed however the increased cost of startup may offset this. I have not ran SPS coral under them yet so it is hard for me to have a frame of reference other than casual observations.
I have talked to several people that converted from 400w Iwsaki lamps to 250HQI lamps. They have told me that the HQI output is similar to the 400w lamps and the power savings is very real. Unless your power is very expensive I would think that the increased cost of HQI would not be worth it.
A newer metal halide technology is called “pulse start” this technology does not affect the output or efficiency of the lamp but extends the lamp life, reduces color shift, and allows the lamp to restrike faster. This technology would reduce your relamping cost. All the efficiency in the world is not worth it if you run your lamps beyond their normal life. Their output will drop and you won’t get as much light out of them. Also the color temperatures will shift and the general quality of the lamp will degrade. This will happen with any HID type lamp but is reduced with pulse start lamps. They do require special ballast. These lamps have nothing to do with HQI lamps.
Radio Frequency excited sulfur lamps are on the horizon. These lamps have an infinite life span and have a very natural spectrum output. They are brighter than the sun, have no color shift, never wear out, and are the perfect lamp. The problem is they use a microwave magnetron to excite the lamp and the lamp is spinning at 4800 RPMs in a special fixture. This technology is expensive at about 8k for a 1400w lamp. They are about twice as efficient as a standard MH lamp. Running prototypes are in operation and commercial units will be available first quarter of 03. I expect to get an evaluation setup in February and will send the unit to Sanjay for evaluation but it looks like this is the future of high performance lighting.
LED lighting is very exciting and may be in the reefing future. LEDs produce little heat “similar to a sulfur lamp” and can be quickly changed in intensity. You would be able to simulate sunrise, set, cloud cover, and even rainstorms. They are having efficiency problems and phosphorus problems with the white led’s . They are very expensive and we probably won’t see them for 3-5 more years in the hobby.
To summarize with all this new technology coming out it may be in your favor to run a simple setup such as an Iwasaki 6500 on MV ballast as you may be upgrading in a few years. These setups can be put assembled DIY for less than $100.00 /250w lamp.
PS don’t forget that the reflector is one of the most important parts of your system. All the efficiency and output is wasted if you don’t have a nice reflector. Lumnaarc III or IV reflectors are very nice. Spider reflectors also work well. The reflector is one of the most overlooked items in a lighting solution. It is also one of the most important. Good luck and don’t do what I did and purchase your lighting solution several times before you figured out what is best for your reef.
Mac":2r9mbnpx said:Well, since noone else answered...
HQI is a brand name for double-ended Metal Halide HID lamps. They are fairly common, the technology is used rather regularly. The main difference between the two, is that HQI bulbs have two contact points, whereas Mogul's screw in like a regular light bulb - one contact point. This should be important to you, as you will need different sockets/reflectors to handle mogul or HQI-style bulbs.
The theory is that HQI's burn a little hotter and brighter, because they have a longer Arc inside the tube (the "arc-tube" is that 'warp-core' looking thing on the inside of the MH bulb). The bigger the arc, the more gas that gets excited, and the more light it gives off. They do pull slightly more current I believe as well, and are known to kick out a fair amount of UV light (so watch yourself around one).
Mac..... "Warp Core" are you a trekkie?.....lol.....
All told, since you mention you're setting up a clam tank, I'd say the HQI's are better suited - they are more intense, and will penetrate deeper than mogul lamps (albeit very slightly more).
- Mac
Ifyou're kinda handy, you can do a 150w HQI DIY for around $220. Go to my clubs page and look at the DIY section. http://www.wamas.org
The term HQI is actualy nothing to do with the shape of the socket or how many ends are on the bulb.. everyone seams to be using HQI to describe a double ended bulb but in reality HQI is a trade name by Sylvania for a type of MH light used in the film industry.. it just so happens that other companies have made a bulb using the same type of material..
now you can get HQI bulbs in either double ended OR mogual base, and the sol called HQI ballast is just a ballast that provideds power at a rate simular to what they call Standard in Europe, this is why the AB, Ushio, BLV, ect all run a little brighter on *HQI* ballasts
HQI has to be one of the most wrongly used terms I have seen in a loog long time.. just like "skidoo"
here is the info sheet on True HQI
http://ecom.mysylvania.com/miniapps/FileNet2/PIBs/HID031.pdf
now you can get HQI bulbs in either double ended OR mogual base, and the sol called HQI ballast is just a ballast that provideds power at a rate simular to what they call Standard in Europe, this is why the AB, Ushio, BLV, ect all run a little brighter on *HQI* ballasts
HQI has to be one of the most wrongly used terms I have seen in a loog long time.. just like "skidoo"
here is the info sheet on True HQI
http://ecom.mysylvania.com/miniapps/FileNet2/PIBs/HID031.pdf
In practical SPS keepers terms there is no growth or color difference between HQI and mogul 250W bulbs (I haven't seen other wattages) when both are driven by a HQI ballast. I have a friend who has been running one on each side of his 75 gal for the past year and you cannot tell which is which when standing in front of the tank.
He is known on the boards as MtnDewMan here is a link to his homepage:
http://www.fitermania.com/75gallonreef/
Regards,
Kevin
He is known on the boards as MtnDewMan here is a link to his homepage:
http://www.fitermania.com/75gallonreef/
Regards,
Kevin
kevinpo":2p4cudnw said:
I'm by no means an expert on this, but I've been doing a lot of research on it over the past year+. I do agree that it doesn't seem (based on recent testing) that there's a significant difference in the output of mogul vs. DE style lamps, however, some of the recent lamp/reflector/ballast tests seem to be showing that the reflector is a very significant factor in the overall performance of a halide lighting system.
I've heard from several trusted sources (serious hobbyists and LFSs) that have switched from Mogul to DE setups and have experienced increased growth rates and coloration at similar wattages (actually lower wattages in some cases) from the mogul setups they were using previously. After reading this article by Richard Harker, that seems plausible.
While I agree with your original statement that the lamps aren't necessarily better, I think the shape/style of the DE lamps are allowing for more efficient reflector design which could account for many of the anecdotal performance claims of DE system users.
FWIW, your friend is using a PFO DE pendant which has a reputation of having a poor reflector (I only know the unit by reputation - I've never used one), so that might not be a good example of this.
Just another point of view...
kevinpo":iskuv3kl said:
MtnDewMan is running a AB, double ended and a AB mougal both 250 watts.. to clear things up BOTH of thease bulbs are HQI and there shoulden't be a difference at all.. The advantage of the Double ended bulb is that they are smaller and can be put into smaller reflectors and take up less space.
Steve
Sponsor Reefs
We're a FREE website, and we exist because of hobbyists like YOU who help us run this community.
Click here to sponsor $10:
