PDA

View Full Version : Picture with XM 250 watt 15 k bulbs


Aquariumist
01/05/2007, 05:50 PM
does anybody have pictures of their tank lit by these bulbs. i was thinking of lighting my tank with them,so i would like to see some pictures of them being used. any good or bad feedback would be good to know also.

jag1979
01/05/2007, 05:57 PM
the par is extremely low on those bulbs

Aquariumist
01/05/2007, 06:11 PM
really? what bulb do you reccomend?

jag1979
01/05/2007, 09:12 PM
http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm

northbay-reefer
01/05/2007, 09:49 PM
the XM 15k is useless, don't even waste your money on it

Saldarya
01/06/2007, 01:41 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8908817#post8908817 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by northbay-reefer
the XM 15k is useless, don't even waste your money on it

This type of response is useless......

Yes, the bulb has extremely low Par, but in return, it has a very nice color. Much of the Par issue is overcome with the size of the tank. For example, the OP shows a 46g tank in his signature. To use this 250W bulb over a 18" tank would be more than adequate for any SPS growth and color. I would agree that on a tank of say 24" and deeper tanks, your corals at the midway point may suffer, but for smaller tanks, and for people who like a nice blue color, this bulb can be great.

I do use this bulb on a 30g tank, full of SPS. The growth is respectable and again, color is awesome. Now, as mentioned, on my large tanks, I do go with a stronger bulb.

To the OP, to look at pictures posted on a forum is a very poor way to get color representation. There are so many variables in color from the original photo and camera settings, to the settings on your monitor that what you see is unlikely to match to real world visuals. Ideally a shop local to you that will "plug it in" would be your best bet. Again, one of the best/balanced colored bulbs I have ever seen. Just be wary of its application.

JmLee
01/06/2007, 04:25 AM
alot of people say they are blueish. My XM 15k's always seemed yellowish to me.

Aquariumist
01/06/2007, 09:20 AM
what about hamilton 14k? and just to clarify, i am using hqi bulbs, so i dont know how that link will help me, but it was a great link.

d4a2n0k
01/06/2007, 09:47 AM
You might also want to take a look at the 14K Phoenix bulbs. Heres a couple of shots of my tank with a 250W Phoenix on a SLS Blue Wave III HQI Ballast.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/gbannister/IMG_1347.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/gbannister/IMG_1346.jpg

You can get them at premiumaquatics.com

nikonosis
01/06/2007, 09:48 AM
Might want to try reflux 12k's...

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/nikonosis/halfwater2.jpg

Aquariumist
01/06/2007, 07:47 PM
nikonosis, are reeflux bulbs hqi?

nikonosis
01/06/2007, 07:56 PM
the ones i have are SE, here are the hqi ones...
http://www.coralvue.com/hqi-reeflux.html

Gundo5000
01/07/2007, 01:54 AM
I used XM 15k 250w for a while. Loved the color but as mentioned par is extremely low. I wouldn't say they're useless though.

Heres a pic close to the in person color.
http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q26/algundo/U.jpg

NanoGurl
01/07/2007, 03:15 AM
We had hamilton 14k SE and they were more yellow then blue even after the burn in. We were very disapointed in their color after reading the reviews. However, we def were going for a more blue/white look.

nikonosis
01/07/2007, 08:11 AM
the reeflux 12k is alot more blue than a hamilton 14k... Me personally I won't use anything but reeflux 12k now.

Aquariumist
01/12/2007, 06:56 PM
does anyone have a fts with just reeflux 12Ks?

nikonosis
01/12/2007, 07:31 PM
whats fts?

Fishbulb2
01/12/2007, 07:55 PM
Full tank shot maybe?

FB

nikonosis
01/12/2007, 08:28 PM
I already posted a full tank shot with mine. My tank is 12k reflux

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/nikonosis/water1.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/nikonosis/water3.jpg
http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e391/nikonosis/water2.jpg

nikonosis
01/12/2007, 08:29 PM
Its not as blue as those pictures show but it does have a blue tint.