What T5's to go with XM 10k

dc_909 · 09/21/2006, 04:26 PM

I think I have decided to go with 2 175w XM 10k bulbs.

I will hav 4 54w T5HO's

Should I use

4 actinic?
2 actinic and 2 11k?

Or another combo?

I want a slightly blue look

Obi-dad · 09/21/2006, 04:28 PM

I would use 4 blue+ (some brands call this actinic+).

I had been using 2 175w XM10ks on my tank, but changed to Iwasaki 15k - much better look than the xms (even though it says 15k it is a white bulb).

Aquabucket · 09/21/2006, 04:37 PM

I would go with 2 blue plus and 2 super actinics.

dc_909 · 09/21/2006, 04:49 PM

I was thinking about the Iwasaki, but I only found them for $80. Are they really worth the extra $20?

Obi-dad · 09/21/2006, 05:27 PM

For me, after having both side by side over my tank, I would always get the Iwasaki over the XM, so yes to me it is worth the extra $20. The Xm has yellow/purple hint, whereas the Iwasaki has a blue hint.

RichConley · 09/21/2006, 06:18 PM

10Ks have plenty of purple. You dont need actinic. You need blue, so blue+ bulbs are proably the best choice.

Aquabucket · 09/21/2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RichConley
10Ks have plenty of purple. You dont need actinic. You need blue, so blue+ bulbs are proably the best choice.

Having both types of bulbs will give you more range of fluorescent colors from your corals. It gets down to personal tastes. I have found along with many others that a mix of blue plus and actinic really makes my corals glow beautifully under dawn/dusk modes. The nice thing about T5s is you can experiment a bit yourself.

09/21/2006, 04:26 PM	#1
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	What T5's to go with XM 10k I think I have decided to go with 2 175w XM 10k bulbs. I will hav 4 54w T5HO's Should I use 4 actinic? 2 actinic and 2 11k? Or another combo? I want a slightly blue look

09/21/2006, 04:28 PM	#2
Obi-dad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: CT Posts: 4,314	I would use 4 blue+ (some brands call this actinic+). I had been using 2 175w XM10ks on my tank, but changed to Iwasaki 15k - much better look than the xms (even though it says 15k it is a white bulb). __________________ Greg, member of ARKSC and CTARS Visit our CTARS club website by clicking my RC name then 'visit homepage' - and please support your LFS Current Tank Info: 75g mostly stonies. DIY LEDs (24 CW XP-G, 48 RB XR-E) on dwizum CAT4101 drivers, DIY Hydra controller, SSB, Korallin Ca Reactor, Euroreef skimmer

09/21/2006, 04:37 PM	#3
Aquabucket Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Green Bay, Wi. Posts: 4,455	I would go with 2 blue plus and 2 super actinics. __________________ "Just a drop in the bucket"

09/21/2006, 05:27 PM	#5
Obi-dad Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: CT Posts: 4,314	For me, after having both side by side over my tank, I would always get the Iwasaki over the XM, so yes to me it is worth the extra $20. The Xm has yellow/purple hint, whereas the Iwasaki has a blue hint. __________________ Greg, member of ARKSC and CTARS Visit our CTARS club website by clicking my RC name then 'visit homepage' - and please support your LFS Current Tank Info: 75g mostly stonies. DIY LEDs (24 CW XP-G, 48 RB XR-E) on dwizum CAT4101 drivers, DIY Hydra controller, SSB, Korallin Ca Reactor, Euroreef skimmer

09/21/2006, 06:18 PM	#6
RichConley Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bostonian in Chicago going to DC Posts: 9,908	10Ks have plenty of purple. You dont need actinic. You need blue, so blue+ bulbs are proably the best choice. __________________ NO TANKS!!!

09/21/2006, 04:49 PM	#4
dc_909 Moved On Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Murrieta, CA Posts: 3,260	I was thinking about the Iwasaki, but I only found them for $80. Are they really worth the extra $20?