Anyone have the par of an Iwasaki 14k compared to a XM 15k 175w MH?

[beeker]

Just looking for a chart that compares the PAR values of both of these bulbs. I'm looking at growing SPS and currently run the XM 15k bulb and was informed that the Iwasaki 14k was a better PAR for growing SPS. If anyone has any pictures of both bulbs compared on tanks that would be great. Or if anyone has any opinions on what would be a good setup to get better growth from my SPS feel free to add it.

Also if i use the Iwasaki and add 1 actinic+ and 1 Aquablue+ do you think id have better results than just running the 14k?

thanks for your help.

kyle

[surfnvb7]

i used to run the 175w XM 15k on a 20g, with magnetic ballasts. I had amazing color from all of my corals (zoas, lps, sps, even a clam). I also thought that I had decent growth from my sps, maybe not comparable to sps tanks with alot of equipment and brighter lights, but I still thought it was decent.

now I run the new iwasaki on a 30g, its been going about a month now. its VERY bright, and very white. IMO i lost all of my great color. esspecially from my zoas i do have a pair of VHO's that at least make the tank look a little bit blue.

IMO, i dont think this bulb is very good if you are a zoa/lps keeper. i've been told to give my sps more time, and they will also eventually color up. i have got alot of great responses in growth from my sps with the iwasaki thats for sure.

i dont think pictures are that great of a representation of color comparison, b/c every camera has different whit balance settings. if you look in the icecap forum a couple people posted some pics to show the difference b/w an XM 10k and the new Iwasaki.

for sps, obviously go with the iwasaki. as with any ~10k bulb, you obviously wont get the color you will with an XM 15k or XM 20k bulb, but its all about personal preference.

[horkn]

what ballast are you running beeker?

[beeker]

ARO i think it was a 175w MH retro kit and it came with the XM 15k bulb.

this is on a 20 gallon high as well.

[surfnvb7]

the ARO you mention in the retro kit most likely came from hellolights, and is a standard magnetic ballast. i have the same thing.

the data on the Iwasaki shows it runs best on an electronic ballast, such as the icecap. i run my iwasaki on the same ARO magnetic ballast currently, and its still pretty good. the icecap runs the iwasaki slightly brighter, probably a little bit cooler, and the bulb will most likely last a little bit longer than being run on the magnetic ballast (i think, not totally sure).

[Wombat_101]

Here is the website for par efficiency ratings for most bulbs and ballasts. The 175w XM 15K actually gets bad ratings for a magnetic ballast(m57).
Ushio 10k is the best then AB. Iwasaki is 4th I think

http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.c...rmancedata.php

[beeker]

well i just wanted a light setup that was good at growing SPS mainly, i do have some zoanthids as well.

my 15k xm is doing ok but i figured there was a better setup/way to get more growth from my SPS.

soon i will be adding a 2x24 T5 retro onto the hood with the MH. i will have an actinic+ and aquablue+ but i didn't know if this would have better growth with the 15k xm or the 14k iwasaki and that is mainly what i wanted to find out.

[beeker]

this is also my first saltwater tank, it's only been up and running 6 months

[surfnvb7]

while the iwasaki is without question, better at growing sps, and in general better than the XM 15k. IMO the verdict will be out for quite a while as far as color response of corals.

if your tank is only 6months old, that is still very very new. i'd just keep the lights you have for now, and concentrate on stabalizing the tanks water quality, as this is much more important for sps than the light. most sps will adapt to the type of light they are under, it just takes time, sometimes a 6-8months, or even a year. if you keep changing the type of lights, it will just take longer for your sps to adjust to the new conditions.

[beeker]

i have a magnum 350 canister on it along with 2 powerheads that are rated for 30gph, for the skimmer i use a CPR bak-pak 2.

i change my filter pad in the 350 every 2 weeks and the carbon about once every 3 monthes. My tanks parameters are dead on what they need to be and have been since the start, which is a good thing. My water is crystal clear when the front of the tank is scraped clean of algea.

well i think ill probably stick with the XM 15k for the next few months until it's time to change it then ill go ahead and use the iwasaki 14k i have lying around. In the meantime i think ill go ahead and add the 2 24w T5 lights to my canopy one actinic+ and one aquablue+ 11k bulb, and see how this does for me until time comes to use the iwasaki, which will be in about 6 months.

[surfnvb7]

sounds like you have got things down pretty good just be careful when starting up the iwasaki. you may as well use it if you have it. just about all my stuff bleached out, even with only running the bulb 6hrs a day. you'll need some type of screens to acclimate all your corals to the MUCH brighter light.

[beeker]

yeah i was told about the screen method, right now i have my MH XM 15k on for 10 hours a day. i figured 4 layers of fiberglass screen and remove about 1 every week, do you think ill lose any corals with having the screen on for a month reducing 1 layer each week?

[surfnvb7]

personally, i'd do 2-3 weeks before removing a screen, everything in my tank was fine until i went up from 6-8hrs, then everything bleached over night basically. i didnt lose anything, it just all looks like crap

[beeker]

should i do a shorter photo period while waiting to remove the individual pieces screen when i switch to this bulb or will leaving my photo period at 10 hours be fine as long as i wait enough time inbetween each sheet of screen?

[surfnvb7]

i think you'll be fine at 10hrs, as long as you keep the screens on.

[beeker]

ok, thanks for all your help man definatly cleared a decent amount up for me.

my only question now is when i get my T5 retro should i do short photo periods at first to aclimate the corals to the new T5 lights or should i just let them go the full 10 hours? It will be one actinic+ and one aquablue+ 11k

[surfnvb7]

i dont have any experience with T5's, but i'd say just turn them on and let them go. no need to acclimate or reduce photo period on their behalf since they are just supplemental actinics.

[robsmith32]

wow, according to the chart, m57 vs m57 ballast, the iwasaki has 71 vs the xm's 15k's 39, their 10k was much closer at 62ppfd.
icecap ballast brings the iwasaki up to 86 though.

definately use screen if going from xm 15k - the eye 15k