How blue are the XM 20K?

InADream · 08/27/2007, 07:50 PM

I am getting ready to order the XM 20K bulbs, does any have any good advice before ordering these bulbs... Any better bulbs for the same cost or a little more...

Dream

jjmcat · 08/27/2007, 08:09 PM

IM going to tag along with this.

InADream · 08/27/2007, 08:10 PM

Not a problem, also does anyone know the par readings of the 20k versus the 15k...

Dream

cbonito · 08/27/2007, 11:51 PM

The PAR readings should be on Sanjay Joshi's website.

As far as the 20k Bulb Goes, it is VERY good for 400 watt on a magnetic ballast, and decent on a 250 watt ballast for mogul bulbs.

In HQI they are even better, although IMO, I would stay away from a blue bulb in anything less than 250 watt.

The color of the 20k is not as blue as radiums. It has more white and is visually brighter. Good combination of growth and color.

I think they are the best bulbs out there for the money in 400 watt single-ended.

gasman059 · 08/28/2007, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cbonito
The PAR readings should be on Sanjay Joshi's website.

As far as the 20k Bulb Goes, it is VERY good for 400 watt on a magnetic ballast, and decent on a 250 watt ballast for mogul bulbs.

In HQI they are even better, although IMO, I would stay away from a blue bulb in anything less than 250 watt.

The color of the 20k is not as blue as radiums. It has more white and is visually brighter. Good combination of growth and color.

I think they are the best bulbs out there for the money in 400 watt single-ended.

I believe so-best of both worlds in 400 watt range.
I run 3x 400 20 k XM now on my 3rd set with no plans to change!

OliverM3 · 08/28/2007, 06:00 AM

I'm on my second week running the XM 250 HQI's and they really are blue almost to blue.
My Phoenix 14k's will be in tomorrow so I'll get to compare the two.
I didn't like that the XM PAR is 45 where my old 10k's were around 109.
I figure the Phoenix will be a good compromise at 88.

Though I have to say the Blue is growing on me.

EnderG60 · 08/28/2007, 07:11 AM

any of you notice a decrease in growth/color after the first 3-6 months of use?

Im running a 400w 20k xm(mag balast) on my 58g and its great for the first few months, then seems to even out and at about 10 months seems to be worthless.

I like the bulb and when new growth and color is amazing but im on my 3rd one now and thinking of switching to the BLV 14k.

jstraka1 · 08/28/2007, 07:44 AM

I had two 175 watt XM 20000k's on magnetic ballasts, and IMO the 175 watters are just not bright enough. They might perform better on electronic ballasts though. If I were to suggest any 175 watt SE bulbs, I would have to say get the Iwasaki 15K's, they will be my next bulb purchase. Nothing in the 175watt SE realm comes near to the par they put out, and I hear the color is nice.

Lagger · 08/28/2007, 09:01 AM

Read the sig. Pics in gallery. camera pics up too much blue, visably brighter in person, however, they are more blue & dimmer than a phoenix. Makes my corals 'pop' more than the phoenix. Growth has yet tbd.

InADream · 08/28/2007, 03:57 PM

That is a little too blue for my liking I think I am going to upgrade my bulbs to the Hamilton 14K bulbs... Just cant afford the Iwaski and need something because my corals are suffering... Check It Out:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1194463

Dream

08/27/2007, 07:50 PM	#1
InADream I'm That Guy!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,169	How blue are the XM 20K? I am getting ready to order the XM 20K bulbs, does any have any good advice before ordering these bulbs... Any better bulbs for the same cost or a little more... Dream

08/27/2007, 08:09 PM	#2
jjmcat Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Tulsa Posts: 4,249	IM going to tag along with this. __________________ Oklahoma Marine and Aquarium Society Support your LFS and your local club. Jarrod Lee Current Tank Info: 110 reef with a 55 gallon sump,3 metal halides

08/27/2007, 08:10 PM	#3
InADream I'm That Guy!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,169	Not a problem, also does anyone know the par readings of the 20k versus the 15k... Dream __________________ Dan Current Tank: Innovative Marine Fusion 40, Custom Built Stand, Ecotech XR15w Pro, Ecotech Vortech MP10wes, Ecotech Reef Link, Custom Built Media Caddy, IM Fuge Light, Ghost Skimmer.

08/27/2007, 11:51 PM	#4
cbonito Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: michigan Posts: 398	The PAR readings should be on Sanjay Joshi's website. As far as the 20k Bulb Goes, it is VERY good for 400 watt on a magnetic ballast, and decent on a 250 watt ballast for mogul bulbs. In HQI they are even better, although IMO, I would stay away from a blue bulb in anything less than 250 watt. The color of the 20k is not as blue as radiums. It has more white and is visually brighter. Good combination of growth and color. I think they are the best bulbs out there for the money in 400 watt single-ended. __________________ Cbonito Current Tank Info: 60ish gallon (48x24x12h) reef

08/28/2007, 07:44 AM	#8
jstraka1 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Rose, New York Posts: 674	I had two 175 watt XM 20000k's on magnetic ballasts, and IMO the 175 watters are just not bright enough. They might perform better on electronic ballasts though. If I were to suggest any 175 watt SE bulbs, I would have to say get the Iwasaki 15K's, they will be my next bulb purchase. Nothing in the 175watt SE realm comes near to the par they put out, and I hear the color is nice. __________________ Jason. Current Tank Info: 65 gallon clear, rectangular box of tropical marine paradise in my living room.

08/28/2007, 06:00 AM	#6
OliverM3 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: PA Posts: 616	I'm on my second week running the XM 250 HQI's and they really are blue almost to blue. My Phoenix 14k's will be in tomorrow so I'll get to compare the two. I didn't like that the XM PAR is 45 where my old 10k's were around 109. I figure the Phoenix will be a good compromise at 88. Though I have to say the Blue is growing on me.

08/28/2007, 07:11 AM	#7
EnderG60 Plumbing Engineer Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 3,260	any of you notice a decrease in growth/color after the first 3-6 months of use? Im running a 400w 20k xm(mag balast) on my 58g and its great for the first few months, then seems to even out and at about 10 months seems to be worthless. I like the bulb and when new growth and color is amazing but im on my 3rd one now and thinking of switching to the BLV 14k.

08/28/2007, 09:01 AM	#9
Lagger Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Costa Mesa, CA Posts: 1,068	Read the sig. Pics in gallery. camera pics up too much blue, visably brighter in person, however, they are more blue & dimmer than a phoenix. Makes my corals 'pop' more than the phoenix. Growth has yet tbd. __________________ mad-hyphenated euro-braced deep-dimension bare-bottom 90g

08/28/2007, 03:57 PM	#10
InADream I'm That Guy!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 1,169	That is a little too blue for my liking I think I am going to upgrade my bulbs to the Hamilton 14K bulbs... Just cant afford the Iwaski and need something because my corals are suffering... Check It Out: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1194463 Dream __________________ Dan Current Tank: Innovative Marine Fusion 40, Custom Built Stand, Ecotech XR15w Pro, Ecotech Vortech MP10wes, Ecotech Reef Link, Custom Built Media Caddy, IM Fuge Light, Ghost Skimmer.