Xm bulbs
- Thread starter snk713
- Start date
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mfinn
likes zoanthids
might want to checkout hellolights.com
I just ordered a 250 watt electronic ballast, socket, reflector and a 20k XM bulb delivered for $100.
I just ordered a 250 watt electronic ballast, socket, reflector and a 20k XM bulb delivered for $100.
snk713
Active Member
Pheonix??? No thanks, don't like the washed out blue look. Those bulbs were popular 2 years ago and have fell off since. I've tried most bulbs and I'm going back to bright ones again. Currently have a reeflux 14k,,, hate it and a ushio 20k, nice color but not bright.
ahvrivera
Active Member
Depends on the ballast. I have a PFO magnetic ballast with xm 20k and its got a nice blue to it and nice intensity. With an electronic ballast it will drive em a little more and may appear a bit bluer. (will know for sure christmas morning if the electronic will make it bluer, darn it lol)
And +1 for hellolights.com
And +1 for hellolights.com
I was curious also on XM vs Phoenix because if you look on Sanjays site, the XM bulbs don't have great par numbers. I was thinking about going that route before Phoenix and was the main reason I chose Phoenix. I would like a little more blue look without going the "purple Barney" look but wanted the Par also.
Hellolights always has free shipping on MH bulbs also. I was looking on there and it listed the XM 15k as "re-designed" and was just wondering if anyone knew what was different from the old ones.
Hellolights always has free shipping on MH bulbs also. I was looking on there and it listed the XM 15k as "re-designed" and was just wondering if anyone knew what was different from the old ones.
On my JBJ magnetic ballast, my radium 20k after being broken in isnt near as blue as i would like, the type and make of ballast is very important in deciding which bulb is right for you. Basically my radium 150W SE is a good bit whiter than my old xm 250w SE 15K run off a blueline E ballast.
yes, the 10k and 20 xm have great numbers. the 15k isnt as good. i ran the 15k for a while but with t5 actinic so they where ok. i am running the 20k now on my new tank. they are ok, i like them. my tank isnt as blue as my old one but thats due to not running the t5's i was used to running as act.
here are some older reports.
CnidarianReef: Lamp Tests
Select Ballast
here are some older reports.
CnidarianReef: Lamp Tests
Select Ballast
It's a big tank i need to light up. 8 foot by 3 foot wide by 2 foot tall, blue bulbs just look dim on it.
You should look into the Ushio 14k/Gman Coral, very bright white bulb with loads of par.
i use 2 150 watt 15k xm bulbs and i love them. after using all the crappy ebay bulbs and trying the difference between 10k, 14k, 15k, 20k i have found the 15k xm give me the blue color i want and growth everyone needs to keep the hobby going..lol!!
they are a bit more expenceive but i wont go with any other bulb again!
they are a bit more expenceive but i wont go with any other bulb again!
