Do you like XM bulbs?

[Hal]

I started out running Ushio's, 10K, 250W. When time came to replace them, I tried the Reeflux 10K's. Unfortunately, the Reeflux bulbs had a ringing noise. Something within the glass was vibrating against the glass. It annoyed me and my wife. So I exchanged them. The new bulbs had the same problems, so I'm considering getting XMs. What do you think?

[Anemonebuff]

It may be the fixture not the bulb if the problem was with more than one bulb. However, I really liked my 10K XMs. I am now trying Iwasaki 15K SE 175 watters. So far they are great.

[JoeESSA]

I like the XM 10k's. I'm using 2 single-ended 250W bulbs with actinic supplementation. Excellent PAR with regular M58 magnetic ballasts. Good for the depth of tank you have. The appearance is an intense crisp white with mixed 420nm/460nm actinic supplementation.

Sure the ringing noise isn't something to do with your ballast?

[JoeyK@OCMD]

I swithced from Ushio's 20K 400 watt to XM's 20K 400 watt and didn't notice much of a difference other than price. The XMs are $50 cheaper. I don't think my corals have noticed the difference either. I have been running the XMs for 4 and 1/2 months.

[Anemonebuff]

I had the 20Ks and found that the color was too blue and that the growth was not that great. Huge difference with the 10Ks.

[143gadgets]

I am using 20ks and i love the color, but I am about to switch to 10ks cause my growth is terrible.

[2crazyreefers]

I used the 10 K ushio's then replaced with 10 K XM's. IMO and my corals the xm bulbs are atleast as good as the Ushio but much cheaper. I use DE bulbs.

[Hal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8401235#post8401235 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemonebuff
It may be the fixture not the bulb if the problem was with more than one bulb.

Well, when I re-installed my Ushios the ringing stopped. Believe me, I tried unscrewing and re-installing the Reeflux's several times. I played with nipple orientation. :D Nothing worked.

[Anemonebuff]

Sounds like the bulbs then. I would send them back. If you want a little more blue, get 14-15K bulbs. The XMs are great, but a little too white for my taste.

[Zach117]

I just put in some XM 15k 250 watt bulbs. These are my first MH bulbs. i think they made it past the 100 hr settle in period b/c at first they looked very blue compared to 10k PC lights, but now its pretty much of an inbetween which i like. I hope I can get that balance of color and growth from 15k.

[chrisd1009]

I use XM 10k 250 watt with liminarcs and Icecap ballasts. Check into ballasts since different ballasts drive bulbs differently. 10k have a tinge of yellow so actinic supplementation looks nice. I'm very happy with my lighting scheme and my growth and colors back it up.

[chrisd1009]

Zach, I have a 3 bulb arrangement. I was using 10k in the middle with 15k on the ends. All of my coral on the sides were growing towards the middle of the tank. I replaced the 15k with all 10k and all the corals on the sides showed a lot of growth all around.
I cannot prove this scientifically. Only with what I experienced on my own tank. I was told that XM did a really bad job on their 15k and that the PAR is lower with them than it is on the 20k.

[Anemonebuff]

I also heard the XM 15Ks are very low on the PAR scale.

[The Shrimp X]

I LOVE the color i have with the XM 15ks... i have 2 SE 250 XM 15K bulbs over my 75, but i will be switching to the XM 10K when it comes time, as im just not getting the growth i want from my corals...

[Zach117]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8406112#post8406112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemonebuff
I also heard the XM 15Ks are very low on the PAR scale.

Well thats great. I find the whole Bulb to ballast comparison very confusing. It is hard to find one with the exact bulb and exact ballast you want.
Really the man reason I got these was because I found a retro with an ARO ballast , reflector, mogul and bulb for around $180. I figured I might have to buy better bulbs down the road, but I don't have an SPS in there yet so it can wait.

I want to skip the whole actinic supplementation thing, due to the extra ballast and consumption issue, and get the middle of the road between growth and color with 15k. I might have to see how those Ushios do for you Anemone down the road.

[Zach117]

I mean Iwasaki, not Ushio. :)

[asiankidd2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8406112#post8406112 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Anemonebuff
I also heard the XM 15Ks are very low on the PAR scale.

your right the 20k has more par than the 15k....go with the 20k

[tankslave]

I dont. :D

[John Kelly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8401257#post8401257 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JoeESSA
I like the XM 10k's.
Same here.

FWIW, I think worrying about PAR comparisons is a waste of time.

[Wiskey]

I love the XM10K's I think they are the perfect color, I don't even use any atinics, just the MH.

Whiskey

[tankslave]

Wiskey, I like your signature "Let Algae be your guide"... So true. :)

[theatrus]

I used XM10ks. I never not liked them, but felt the need for a little blue, so went to Hamilton 14ks on an electronic ballast. Good compromise.

The XM10ks had nice color and not too much of a shift at 10 months.

[Anemonebuff]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8409338#post8409338 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zach117
I mean Iwasaki, not Ushio. :)

I do not think that Iwasaki makes a 250 watt 15K yet. You might try asking these guys:

http://www.coralreefecosystems.com/ltg_bulbs-mh.asp

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8410811#post8410811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tankslave
Wiskey, I like your signature "Let Algae be your guide"... So true. :)

Thanks TankSlave. I have had a few PM's asking what that means, but most weren't SPS keepers :)

Whiskey