XM 10k vs Ushio 10k??

Reefer08 · 07/03/2008, 06:44 PM

XM 250W 10000K SE
Magnetek 250W (M58)
PPFD 137
Power 315
Efficiency 0.4349

Ushio 250W 10000K SE
Magnetek 250W (M58)
PPFD 118
Power 320
Efficiency 0.3688

Im running a PFO magnetic ballast, so im assuming Sanjay is referring to the same ballast I have?

Which Bulb is better do you guys think? The XM has higher par values but how is the color?? Thanks

Creetin · 07/03/2008, 08:03 PM

I ran both those brands and K's on a 400w mag ballast. I could not tell the diff. I would get the XM because of better par and price.

frank2926 · 07/03/2008, 08:07 PM

I ran both on an m58 advance ballast. The Ushio is a little whiter to my eye. I like the overall color and the colors of the coral a little better with the ushio.. IMO

91yota · 07/04/2008, 09:14 PM

im running the 250wXM10kSE on m58 right now with no actinic supplement... after 3 months of burn time, i have finally gotten used to the color... i now see it as a bright white, shallow water reef look.... for a long time all i saw was yellow...

that being said... its hard to get colors to "pop" under XM10k... you can see them but they dont jump out at you without some help...

grigsy · 07/06/2008, 08:20 AM

I have used both bulbs. I don't think you would go wrong with either. The Ushio was a little whiter. Both are good IMO.

IridescentLily · 07/06/2008, 04:18 PM

From the hundreds of comparative pics that I've seen on here, It seems like the XM looks a bit more purple white, and the Ushio more blue white. Don't know if the pics are of the bulbs burned in though, probably not, they were "just turned them on for the first time" tank pics.
Both look very nice, crisp. I like the look of the XMs more just from the photos I've seen on here.

clown1 · 11/08/2008, 09:01 AM

I love my Ushio 10ks

rdelong · 11/09/2008, 10:07 PM

I prefer the XM 10000K

kdblove_99 · 11/09/2008, 11:01 PM

Think they would be too close to call. So i would take the least expensive bulb, which would be the XM

orangekush4 · 11/10/2008, 12:30 AM

I have used both in the 250w and like the look of the Ushio, but now I run 400w Radiam.

07/03/2008, 06:44 PM	#1
Reefer08 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 2,812	XM 10k vs Ushio 10k?? XM 250W 10000K SE Magnetek 250W (M58) PPFD 137 Power 315 Efficiency 0.4349 Ushio 250W 10000K SE Magnetek 250W (M58) PPFD 118 Power 320 Efficiency 0.3688 Im running a PFO magnetic ballast, so im assuming Sanjay is referring to the same ballast I have? Which Bulb is better do you guys think? The XM has higher par values but how is the color?? Thanks

07/03/2008, 08:03 PM	#2
Creetin Limestone Cowboy. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In a little place i like to call a little place. Posts: 4,552	I ran both those brands and K's on a 400w mag ballast. I could not tell the diff. I would get the XM because of better par and price. __________________ If only common sense was common. Current Tank Info: 300 gal marineland deep

07/06/2008, 04:18 PM	#6
IridescentLily Editor-Reefkeeping mag Join Date: May 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico Posts: 3,858 Blog Entries: 5	From the hundreds of comparative pics that I've seen on here, It seems like the XM looks a bit more purple white, and the Ushio more blue white. Don't know if the pics are of the bulbs burned in though, probably not, they were "just turned them on for the first time" tank pics. Both look very nice, crisp. I like the look of the XMs more just from the photos I've seen on here. __________________ ~April Editor-Reefkeeping Magazine

07/03/2008, 08:07 PM	#3
frank2926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: phila Posts: 1,645	I ran both on an m58 advance ballast. The Ushio is a little whiter to my eye. I like the overall color and the colors of the coral a little better with the ushio.. IMO

07/04/2008, 09:14 PM	#4
91yota Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 782	im running the 250wXM10kSE on m58 right now with no actinic supplement... after 3 months of burn time, i have finally gotten used to the color... i now see it as a bright white, shallow water reef look.... for a long time all i saw was yellow... that being said... its hard to get colors to "pop" under XM10k... you can see them but they dont jump out at you without some help...

07/06/2008, 08:20 AM	#5
grigsy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 2,307	I have used both bulbs. I don't think you would go wrong with either. The Ushio was a little whiter. Both are good IMO.

11/08/2008, 09:01 AM	#7
clown1 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 56	I love my Ushio 10ks

11/09/2008, 10:07 PM	#8
rdelong Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cranberry Township, PA Posts: 263	I prefer the XM 10000K

11/09/2008, 11:01 PM	#9
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Think they would be too close to call. So i would take the least expensive bulb, which would be the XM

11/10/2008, 12:30 AM	#10
orangekush4 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 367	I have used both in the 250w and like the look of the Ushio, but now I run 400w Radiam.