150w 20k XM

reef4life07 · 03/08/2013, 08:17 AM

Is this a good bulb/brand?

Michigan Mike · 03/08/2013, 08:31 AM

Ya its alright. The 10k & 20k are pretty popular. I have the 15k, it looks nice but the PPFD is kinda low.
Radium 20k is hard to bet for a white/blue.
Phoenix 14k is what I run, blue with a little more PPFD compared to the 20k bulbs, plus its cheaper, Japanese made product.

15k XM

2 pics of the same 14k Phoenix over my corner tank & 29g

Michigan Mike · 03/08/2013, 08:34 AM

As you can see the 14k Phoenix is much more blue looking than the 15k XM, the Phoenix should be labeled as a 20k bulb really.
The 20k XM will be closer to the Phoenix in color.

What ballast are you going to run the XM with?

sirreal63 · 03/08/2013, 08:50 AM

The XM 20k is a miserably low par bulb, unless the tank is very shallow or you have something else providing par, I would skip it. Radium is still King for color and par and the Phoenix is a great bulb as well.

t4zalews · 03/08/2013, 09:54 AM

for a 150w bulb, I'd suggest the pheonix 14k. Radium is more 250w and 400w, I know they make a 150w but I'd go the pheonix route

Guygettnby · 03/08/2013, 10:53 AM

go with a pheonix 14k bulb. awesome par and great color. i have never liked XM bulbs personally.

reef4life07 · 03/08/2013, 11:41 AM

I have the bulb already, I bought it just to try it out. I've been buying Phoenix 14k forever, the XM is being powered by a reeflux m81 cube.

reef4life07 · 03/08/2013, 11:43 AM

My fixture also have 2 ATI T5's, over my 30g.

Michigan Mike · 03/08/2013, 12:09 PM

With t5 you can get a bluer look with a higher PPFD bulb.
You can customize the look better with multiple T5"
Here's my 15k XM with 4x24 Current T5 420 & 460 bulbs , I really like this combo the best for color

15k XM & 1blue plus & 1Fiji purple T5

This is a 10k halide alone, little yellow tint that takes multiple or powerful lighting to change the look.

This is a 10k & 1blue plus & Fiji purple

I understand you bought the bulb already but this may give you a little more options concerning adding T5 bulbs to supplement your lighting. Adding coral plus bulbs, purple, blue, ge6500 or whatever can add to your PAR & overall color.
I've put a ge6500 & blue plus up to my Phoenix & liked the color it produced.

03/08/2013, 08:17 AM	#1
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	150w 20k XM Is this a good bulb/brand?

03/08/2013, 08:50 AM	#4
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	The XM 20k is a miserably low par bulb, unless the tank is very shallow or you have something else providing par, I would skip it. Radium is still King for color and par and the Phoenix is a great bulb as well. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

03/08/2013, 09:54 AM	#5
t4zalews 65g Ritteri Tank Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Royal Oak, MI Posts: 2,673	for a 150w bulb, I'd suggest the pheonix 14k. Radium is more 250w and 400w, I know they make a 150w but I'd go the pheonix route __________________ - Taylor - 65g - Radion XR30 G3 Pro x2 - Deltec SCA 1351 - APEX - Tunze - Vortech

03/08/2013, 08:31 AM	#2
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	Ya its alright. The 10k & 20k are pretty popular. I have the 15k, it looks nice but the PPFD is kinda low. Radium 20k is hard to bet for a white/blue. Phoenix 14k is what I run, blue with a little more PPFD compared to the 20k bulbs, plus its cheaper, Japanese made product. 15k XM 2 pics of the same 14k Phoenix over my corner tank & 29g

03/08/2013, 08:34 AM	#3
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	As you can see the 14k Phoenix is much more blue looking than the 15k XM, the Phoenix should be labeled as a 20k bulb really. The 20k XM will be closer to the Phoenix in color. What ballast are you going to run the XM with?

03/08/2013, 10:53 AM	#6
Guygettnby Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: FL Posts: 3,050	go with a pheonix 14k bulb. awesome par and great color. i have never liked XM bulbs personally.

03/08/2013, 11:41 AM	#7
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	I have the bulb already, I bought it just to try it out. I've been buying Phoenix 14k forever, the XM is being powered by a reeflux m81 cube.

03/08/2013, 11:43 AM	#8
reef4life07 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 480	My fixture also have 2 ATI T5's, over my 30g.

03/08/2013, 12:09 PM	#9
Michigan Mike Freedom costs a buckofive Join Date: May 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,002	With t5 you can get a bluer look with a higher PPFD bulb. You can customize the look better with multiple T5" Here's my 15k XM with 4x24 Current T5 420 & 460 bulbs , I really like this combo the best for color 15k XM & 1blue plus & 1Fiji purple T5 This is a 10k halide alone, little yellow tint that takes multiple or powerful lighting to change the look. This is a 10k & 1blue plus & Fiji purple I understand you bought the bulb already but this may give you a little more options concerning adding T5 bulbs to supplement your lighting. Adding coral plus bulbs, purple, blue, ge6500 or whatever can add to your PAR & overall color. I've put a ge6500 & blue plus up to my Phoenix & liked the color it produced.