20k 250W DE PICS

stephenchoi · 12/15/2006, 11:07 PM

I am considering purchasing a 20K 250W DE halide light to run on my Icecap ballast. It is FO so PAR is not an issue. In fact, lower par may be desirable to keep algae down.

I was hoping some members could post pics of their tanks lit only with 20K bulbs w/ description stating bulb brand, ballast, and satisfaction. I am considering Ushio, XM, and Giesemann 20K's. I know pics are not truly accurate visual representations, I am only trying to get a general idea. Thanks in advance.

mpdharley · 12/16/2006, 08:11 AM

This is a picture of my new 300 gallon tank with XM 20K 250watt DE bulbs in PFO mini pendants on PFO HQI ballasts. I have run the XM 20ks for over 2 years on my 125 and really like the bulbs.

The picture, BTW, is taken without flash and without any lights on in the room (it was also night time)

I do have one question though. Why run MH lights on an FO tank? You can get some very nice lighting using NO or VHO lights (T5s or T12s) that will cost less in electricity and produce less heat.

Just curious.

stephenchoi · 12/16/2006, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the response and the pic. First of all, beautiful tank you have there! I especially like the hanging fixture - very sleek. I had thought the XM 20K's would be visually bluer than they appear in your photo. Is it an accurate rendition of what you see in reality?

As for MH on a FO: I simply enjoy the shimmer lines on occassion - I'll fire up the halides for an hour or two when I watch my tank. Otherwise, my pair of T5's is doing the regular lighting.

Meisen · 12/16/2006, 07:37 PM

Here is mine from the side. Not the best pic but I am not much of a photog.

These are AB 20Ks on an Aquamedic HQI ballast. I like them quite a bit. The only bummer is that they are $$$.

I might try some other ones next time. I tried XMs and Bluelines and both were not great bulbs.

mpdharley · 12/16/2006, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stephenchoi
Thanks for the response and the pic. First of all, beautiful tank you have there! I especially like the hanging fixture - very sleek. I had thought the XM 20K's would be visually bluer than they appear in your photo. Is it an accurate rendition of what you see in reality?

As for MH on a FO: I simply enjoy the shimmer lines on occassion - I'll fire up the halides for an hour or two when I watch my tank. Otherwise, my pair of T5's is doing the regular lighting.

The blue is being washed out a bit in the picture. As for how they look "live", I've used the AB10k, Hamilton 14k, AquaConnect 14k and the XM 20k bulbs. Out of all them, I prefer the XM 20ks and have been using them for the past couple of years.

Thanks (the hanging fixture), we just finished it and got it hung up the other day.

stephenchoi · 12/18/2006, 02:47 AM

Meisen: Thanks for your response too; also another great tank. I am curious, what was is about the XM and Blueline bulbs that made you feel they were not great bulbs? I do like the color of your tank lighting with the AB bulbs, tho. Would I be correct in saying that the same bulbs would be even bluer when run on my Icecap ballast? Which was bluer - the AB20k or the XM20k? How would you compare them?

Mpdharley: I am using PHoenix 14k right now, and would like something bluer. You mentioned that you have tried the AC14k (which I understand is virtually the same as the Phoenix 14k); then, how much bluer is the XM20 in comparison to your AC14k? Would you have any other comparison remarks about these two bulbs?

mpdharley · 12/18/2006, 06:40 AM

As I recall, when I switched to the XM 20k bulbs I didn't see much difference (in blue) between the 14k and 20k bulbs. The XMs; however, were a lot less expensive than the AC14k bulbs.

I believe that some of my corals have colored up better under the 20k bulbs and I'm not that concerned with overall growth -- meaning, I'm not looking for the corals to grow xx inches in a year.

All in all, I've been quite happy with the XM bulbs. One other note is that I do not use electronic ballasts. On my 125g I have an Aqua Spacelight which runs M80 ballasts (I believe) and on my new 300 I went with PFO HQI ballasts.

Meisen · 12/19/2006, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by stephenchoi
Meisen: Thanks for your response too; also another great tank. I am curious, what was is about the XM and Blueline bulbs that made you feel they were not great bulbs? I do like the color of your tank lighting with the AB bulbs, tho. Would I be correct in saying that the same bulbs would be even bluer when run on my Icecap ballast? Which was bluer - the AB20k or the XM20k? How would you compare them?

Thanks....I wish I could get better pics of it though. My issue with the bluelines was that they seemed to shift spectrum very quickly (progbably at least part due to running them on the HQI ballast), something on the order of 4-5 months @ 11 hr days. The XMs lasted longer but while they were running, I did not have very good growth. Hard to say it was the bulbs for sure but that BGS in the foreground of the pic is about 8" in multiple branches after a few months of the ABs. Under the XMs, it barely kept its color and certainly didnt grow appreciably.

The XMs are definitely much bluer anyway than the ABs or the Bluelines IME. And I agree, either bulb is likely going to run more blue on Icecaps than HQI ballasts.

Hope that helps, let us know what you go with and show some pics too!!!

lbaskball45 · 12/19/2006, 06:47 PM

can you post more pics? I was thinking about getting either XM 15,000K or as everyone has been saying Hamilton 14,000K. I want the blue look but not too blue how they have it at LFS where its soo blue that i have to squint my eyes and it looks like its nighttime. I want bluer then my current set up (XM 10,000K) Blue like shalllow ocean blue. If that makes sense lol

lbaskball45 · 12/19/2006, 06:48 PM

Would the growth be better on the 15,000K bulb rather then 20K?

Ti · 12/19/2006, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lbaskball45
Would the growth be better on the 15,000K bulb rather then 20K?

in general yes

cbonito · 12/19/2006, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpdharley
This is a picture of my new 300 gallon tank with XM 20K 250watt DE bulbs in PFO mini pendants on PFO HQI ballasts. I have run the XM 20ks for over 2 years on my 125 and really like the bulbs.

The picture, BTW, is taken without flash and without any lights on in the room (it was also night time)

I do have one question though. Why run MH lights on an FO tank? You can get some very nice lighting using NO or VHO lights (T5s or T12s) that will cost less in electricity and produce less heat.

Just curious.

I love your tank!!!!

Anyway, why put halides on an FO tank? How about the unparalleled natural look they produce? I mean in the better FO tanks I have seen, there is still a nice rock structure in the tank, and the halides give that nice look and tie it all together. Ya know?

Ti · 12/19/2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mpdharley
This is a picture of my new 300 gallon tank with XM 20K 250watt DE bulbs in PFO mini pendants on PFO HQI ballasts. I have run the XM 20ks for over 2 years on my 125 and really like the bulbs.

The picture, BTW, is taken without flash and without any lights on in the room (it was also night time)

I do have one question though. Why run MH lights on an FO tank? You can get some very nice lighting using NO or VHO lights (T5s or T12s) that will cost less in electricity and produce less heat.

Just curious.

Yup that is a gewd looking tank

GSMguy · 12/19/2006, 09:39 PM

i have the ushio 20k and it is crisp ice white not blue i really like it i have the m80 ballast i beleive its the aquamedic ocean light 250

mpdharley · 12/20/2006, 06:23 AM

cbonito and TI Thanks -- I get to stock it this weekend (it was a heck of a build out (I built the tank also) and a lot of fun, but probably won't do that again! ).

12/15/2006, 11:07 PM	#1
stephenchoi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 47	20k 250W DE PICS I am considering purchasing a 20K 250W DE halide light to run on my Icecap ballast. It is FO so PAR is not an issue. In fact, lower par may be desirable to keep algae down. I was hoping some members could post pics of their tanks lit only with 20K bulbs w/ description stating bulb brand, ballast, and satisfaction. I am considering Ushio, XM, and Giesemann 20K's. I know pics are not truly accurate visual representations, I am only trying to get a general idea. Thanks in advance.

12/16/2006, 07:37 PM	#4
Meisen Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 2,108	Here is mine from the side. Not the best pic but I am not much of a photog. These are AB 20Ks on an Aquamedic HQI ballast. I like them quite a bit. The only bummer is that they are $$$. I might try some other ones next time. I tried XMs and Bluelines and both were not great bulbs. __________________ "You dont know where they've been.....There are all kinds of animals pooping in them" -my lovely wife, only she didn't say poop. Current Tank Info: Tankless. Like your water heater.

12/19/2006, 09:39 PM	#14
GSMguy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Northern New Mexico Posts: 17,420	i have the ushio 20k and it is crisp ice white not blue i really like it i have the m80 ballast i beleive its the aquamedic ocean light 250 __________________ Nick. Conehead. Shallow Reef club. Current Tank Info: 48"x27"x14" Envision Acrylic rimless, 6x39w ATi Sunpower, Custom ATB Deluxe Skimmer, 4x tunze nano stream,ATB flowstar 1500, ACJR, Tunze osmolator.

12/16/2006, 08:11 AM	#2
mpdharley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,021	This is a picture of my new 300 gallon tank with XM 20K 250watt DE bulbs in PFO mini pendants on PFO HQI ballasts. I have run the XM 20ks for over 2 years on my 125 and really like the bulbs. The picture, BTW, is taken without flash and without any lights on in the room (it was also night time) I do have one question though. Why run MH lights on an FO tank? You can get some very nice lighting using NO or VHO lights (T5s or T12s) that will cost less in electricity and produce less heat. Just curious.

12/16/2006, 06:51 PM	#3
stephenchoi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 47	Thanks for the response and the pic. First of all, beautiful tank you have there! I especially like the hanging fixture - very sleek. I had thought the XM 20K's would be visually bluer than they appear in your photo. Is it an accurate rendition of what you see in reality? As for MH on a FO: I simply enjoy the shimmer lines on occassion - I'll fire up the halides for an hour or two when I watch my tank. Otherwise, my pair of T5's is doing the regular lighting.

12/18/2006, 02:47 AM	#6
stephenchoi Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 47	Meisen: Thanks for your response too; also another great tank. I am curious, what was is about the XM and Blueline bulbs that made you feel they were not great bulbs? I do like the color of your tank lighting with the AB bulbs, tho. Would I be correct in saying that the same bulbs would be even bluer when run on my Icecap ballast? Which was bluer - the AB20k or the XM20k? How would you compare them? Mpdharley: I am using PHoenix 14k right now, and would like something bluer. You mentioned that you have tried the AC14k (which I understand is virtually the same as the Phoenix 14k); then, how much bluer is the XM20 in comparison to your AC14k? Would you have any other comparison remarks about these two bulbs?

12/18/2006, 06:40 AM	#7
mpdharley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,021	As I recall, when I switched to the XM 20k bulbs I didn't see much difference (in blue) between the 14k and 20k bulbs. The XMs; however, were a lot less expensive than the AC14k bulbs. I believe that some of my corals have colored up better under the 20k bulbs and I'm not that concerned with overall growth -- meaning, I'm not looking for the corals to grow xx inches in a year. All in all, I've been quite happy with the XM bulbs. One other note is that I do not use electronic ballasts. On my 125g I have an Aqua Spacelight which runs M80 ballasts (I believe) and on my new 300 I went with PFO HQI ballasts.

12/19/2006, 06:47 PM	#9
lbaskball45 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: los angeles Posts: 94	can you post more pics? I was thinking about getting either XM 15,000K or as everyone has been saying Hamilton 14,000K. I want the blue look but not too blue how they have it at LFS where its soo blue that i have to squint my eyes and it looks like its nighttime. I want bluer then my current set up (XM 10,000K) Blue like shalllow ocean blue. If that makes sense lol

12/19/2006, 06:48 PM	#10
lbaskball45 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: los angeles Posts: 94	Would the growth be better on the 15,000K bulb rather then 20K?

12/20/2006, 06:23 AM	#15
mpdharley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Jacksonville, FL Posts: 1,021	cbonito and TI Thanks -- I get to stock it this weekend (it was a heck of a build out (I built the tank also) and a lot of fun, but probably won't do that again! ).