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View Full Version : xm 20k 250w se bulb on elec ballast?

Benny Z
12/18/2006, 10:26 PM
they recommend running this bulb on a magnetic ballast...

can i use evc electronic ballasts to drive these bulbs? why/why not?

thanks!
Ti
12/18/2006, 10:38 PM
yes u can, i did
143gadgets
12/19/2006, 02:13 AM
NO problems here. I use 250w Icecaps ballasts w/ XM 20k bulbs.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/143gadgets/CHR_0001a.jpg
Horace
12/19/2006, 09:09 AM
yep, you can however, there is a pretty substantial difference in output.

Here are the numbers:

M58 - 73
Reef fanatic (Almost identical to the EVC) - 61
Icecap - 53

So as you can see, there is a pretty substantial drop in PAR by using the electronic. The color is also likely a bit bluer on the electronics.
Ti
12/19/2006, 11:25 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8782866#post8782866 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 143gadgets
NO problems here. I use 250w Icecaps ballasts w/ XM 20k bulbs.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a290/143gadgets/CHR_0001a.jpg
Looking good!
Benny Z
12/19/2006, 11:51 AM
thanks for the input!

i think i'm going to stick with xm 10k + vho actinic supplementation for the first year or two to get good growth, then revisit the 20k idea. at this time most of my sps are just frags, so i'm more interested in growth than amazing color.
Froggy
12/19/2006, 01:28 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8784948#post8784948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Benny Z
thanks for the input!

i think i'm going to stick with xm 10k + vho actinic supplementation for the first year or two to get good growth, then revisit the 20k idea. at this time most of my sps are just frags, so i'm more interested in growth than amazing color.

Any reason why you think you will not get "amazing" color with the 10 K bulb? Higher bulb temp does not guarantee great color. That can be had with 6500 K, 10,000 K, 12,000 K, 14,000 K, 20,000 K.... you get my point.
Ti
12/19/2006, 01:43 PM
sanjay has great colors with 10K
Benny Z
12/19/2006, 01:48 PM
no, you're absolutely right...i have seen great colors in tanks running 10k halides.

typically, though, 10k bulbs produce white w/ some yellow color. that's fine...i love the way whitish/yellowish bulbs make the fish look. and i'll be happy about that.

eventually, though, i'm more interested in a deeper water blue look for the tank.