what's your pick xm, bluelife or german ushio?

arrecifeguy · 07/28/2008, 05:48 PM

I'm ready to place my order to buy a metal halide bulb; I can afford only this three brands what's better? XM, blue life o German ushio?

Thanks guys

llorence · 07/28/2008, 05:57 PM

I like Ushio bulbs, myself.

xtm · 07/28/2008, 06:41 PM

Ushio

mikesommers · 07/28/2008, 06:50 PM

Does anyone use blue life? I am using XM and dont think they held there color very well. XM DE bulbs do great but the mogul base is not so good. I have 20k bulbs that look like 10k after 5 months.

kdblove_99 · 08/14/2008, 03:38 AM

I am also curious about the Bluelife SPS 20K bulb

Bax · 08/14/2008, 04:53 AM

I've used the 10 K SE Ushios for all my set ups until this year. I am now using the XM 15 ks since January. I like them very much, time will tell how they hold up. I'd have stayed with the Ushio if they offered a 15K bulb. The Ushio bulbs look the same even after a full year of use, they are very good bulbs IME.

mikesommers · 08/14/2008, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kdblove_99
I am also curious about the Bluelife SPS 20K bulb

Is anyone using Bluelife 20k's???? Its almost time to replace my bulbs and I have to make a decision.

Macimage · 08/14/2008, 07:36 PM

I used to use Ushios and switched to Blue Line SPS bulbs. I like them and the price is right.

Joyce

iceemn360 · 08/14/2008, 07:42 PM

XM

mystikdragon7 · 08/14/2008, 07:47 PM

I have used XM and Ushio's SE 10k bulbs and I got to say that the Ushio's last longer and have better color IMO.

woodycb · 08/14/2008, 07:57 PM

I had SE 10K XM bulbs and they were too yellow for me, even supplemented with actinics. I switched to 14K hamiltons and I am really happy with them.
If it helps customaquatics.com is offering free shipping on there MH bulbs.

mikesommers · 08/14/2008, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Macimage
I used to use Ushios and switched to Blue Line SPS bulbs. I like them and the price is right.

Joyce

Do they hold there color well??

seapug · 08/14/2008, 08:58 PM

Not on your list, but ReefLux are my personal favorite. Their 12K is the best bulb I've found.

Macimage · 08/14/2008, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Do they hold there color well??

I really think so. I don't see any visible differences in my tank lighting and I run them much longer than I should (usually 2 years), but I have a mixed reef (frogspawn, brain, button, xenia, torch, clams, leathers, mushrooms, two huge RBTA) and my sps corals are relatively easy.

I think if I had all difficult sps I would change them at one year, as that is what I've read would be more appropriate for sps.

Joyce

mikesommers · 08/15/2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Macimage
I really think so. I don't see any visible differences in my tank lighting and I run them much longer than I should (usually 2 years), but I have a mixed reef (frogspawn, brain, button, xenia, torch, clams, leathers, mushrooms, two huge RBTA) and my sps corals are relatively easy.

I think if I had all difficult sps I would change them at one year, as that is what I've read would be more appropriate for sps.

Joyce

Thank You!

07/28/2008, 05:48 PM	#1
arrecifeguy Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 59	what's your pick xm, bluelife or german ushio? I'm ready to place my order to buy a metal halide bulb; I can afford only this three brands what's better? XM, blue life o German ushio? Thanks guys

07/28/2008, 06:41 PM	#3
xtm Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Panorama City, CA Posts: 4,703	Ushio __________________ Function before fashion Current Tank Info: 120g SPS Tank (48x24x24)

07/28/2008, 06:50 PM	#4
mikesommers Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: ATL. GA. Posts: 393	Does anyone use blue life? I am using XM and dont think they held there color very well. XM DE bulbs do great but the mogul base is not so good. I have 20k bulbs that look like 10k after 5 months. __________________ 6yrs in hobby and still learning everyday! 90 Gallon SPS Dominate Current Tank Info: 90 Gallon AGA-RR with 40 gallon sump

08/14/2008, 04:53 AM	#6
Bax Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,619	I've used the 10 K SE Ushios for all my set ups until this year. I am now using the XM 15 ks since January. I like them very much, time will tell how they hold up. I'd have stayed with the Ushio if they offered a 15K bulb. The Ushio bulbs look the same even after a full year of use, they are very good bulbs IME. __________________ 150 gallon Perfecto with 1500 gph GH overflow / DIY stand-wine bar / Dart Return / SRO XP3000 Ext skimmer / 75 g frag / 40 g fuge / 40 g DIY sump / Orphek P156 & Kessil 150A Current Tank Info: 150 DT/ 40B fuge/ 75g frag/ 40 g sump/ SRO XP 3000 Ext/ TUNZEs & VorTechs circulation/Dart return/ MTC Pro Cal/ UV & Oz

08/14/2008, 07:47 PM	#10
mystikdragon7 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mill Creek, WA Posts: 1,051	I have used XM and Ushio's SE 10k bulbs and I got to say that the Ushio's last longer and have better color IMO. __________________ Patience is a vitrue Current Tank Info: 60gal reef, 2 175 watt MH, 2 95 watt VHO Actinics, 20 gal sump; 30gal FOWLR, pair of B&W baby perculas

07/28/2008, 05:57 PM	#2
llorence Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Newark, Oh Posts: 72	I like Ushio bulbs, myself.

08/14/2008, 03:38 AM	#5
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	I am also curious about the Bluelife SPS 20K bulb

08/14/2008, 07:36 PM	#8
Macimage Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Quartz Hill Posts: 4,078	I used to use Ushios and switched to Blue Line SPS bulbs. I like them and the price is right. Joyce

08/14/2008, 07:42 PM	#9
iceemn360 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA Posts: 757	XM

08/14/2008, 07:57 PM	#11
woodycb Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: N.W. Ohio Posts: 785	I had SE 10K XM bulbs and they were too yellow for me, even supplemented with actinics. I switched to 14K hamiltons and I am really happy with them. If it helps customaquatics.com is offering free shipping on there MH bulbs. __________________ We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART Current Tank Info: 75 gallon

08/14/2008, 08:58 PM	#13
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	Not on your list, but ReefLux are my personal favorite. Their 12K is the best bulb I've found. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.