Anyone using XM 250w 20k's?

Chip Douglas

Chip Douglas

New member
We're replacing our 250w XM 10K's with 250w XM 20k's. Upgrading to 400w isn't in the cards right now, so we're taking a decent size hit in PAR, but hopefully what we lose in growth rate will be made up for with color.

Anyone else using 250w XM 20k's on their SPS systems? If so, how do you like them so far? how are the corals responding? anything else you'd like to add about them, feel free.

We'll be running them on dual PFO standard ballasts.

Thanks!
 
Many like the colors. I've noticed more greens popping and showing up. You will definetly feel the hit in growth but if it doesn't matter to you, then by all means jump into it. I'd personally just jump to 400 watt if you could because eventually, you will anyway. Then just ebay your current ballasts.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7724217#post7724217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jay24k
Many like the colors. I've noticed more greens popping and showing up. You will definetly feel the hit in growth but if it doesn't matter to you, then by all means jump into it. I'd personally just jump to 400 watt if you could because eventually, you will anyway. Then just ebay your current ballasts.
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Yeah, that's probably what we'll end up doing eventually, it's just not really in the cards right now.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7726098#post7726098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by organism
I use 250w xm's on my display, very nice color, but mmmminimal growth, even when dosing kalk
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what size tank? how long are you running them?

we're running our 250w XM 10k's for 7 hours a day right now but I think we're going to have to run the 20k's longer to try and make up for the hit we're taking in PAR. Might have to go back up to 9-10 hours.
 
Good bulb but the bulb itself is the same price for 250w and 400w 20k XM. I noticed that 400w xm run slightly less blue compared to the 250's. I had 2 x xm 250 20K on my 55 and it looked good, just lacking intensity in my opinion. If you can figure out how to scrape up the extra cash I would just do it right from the begining. :)
 
There are some sweet new ballasts from Sunlight Supply. They are 400w Electronics. They have a quickdisconnect plug for 220 too. It runs 3.25 Amps and for some reason they are just as bright as the PFO HQI's right next to it. Using XM 400 20K's. If you need any more info on the ballasts just email me Ballasts Good luck on your venture.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7727606#post7727606 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ejocam
There are some sweet new ballasts from Sunlight Supply. They are 400w Electronics. They have a quick disconnect plugs for 220 or you can just keep te 110. It runs 3.25 Amps and for some reason they are just as bright as the PFO HQI's right next to it, if not brighter. Using XM 400 20K's. If you need any more info on the ballasts just email me Ballasts Good luck on your venture.
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7726098#post7726098 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by organism
I use 250w xm's on my display, very nice color, but mmmminimal growth, even when dosing kalk
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Same here, I boosted growth and maintained color by placing a third bulb between the 2- 20k's, which was a XM 10K. I ran that for 2 hrs a day. I don't think I would ever use pure 20's unless I had a lower light corals tank, unless they were 400's.
 
I have great growth

I have great growth

But then again I have a TEK T5 system ...lol

sorry just had to.

When I had my old system setup was running 14k Phoniex's I liked those better then any 20k, but to compensate I put a Ushio 10k in the middle for 4hrs a day.

best of luck
David
 
Well we have 4 lumenarc mini's, I suppose we could keep two 10k XM's in there and do a 20,10,20,10 combo but I've never really seen that blend to my liking.
 
i just started mixing on my 180g.. XM 10k, 20K, 10k... but they do not mix very well. there is a distinct color change from the sides to the midde. the color of the middle is much better because the XM 10k's are fairly yellow and i hate that. they have only been running of r 2 months so i havent seen much diffenence in growth yet.
 
I went from 250 watt XM 10ks to 400 watt XM 20ks a several years ago and I showed an increase in both growth and color in all my sps. Definately see more vivid colors, even without any actinic supplimentation.

I'd never go back to 10k, nor 250 watts. If I had to run 10k lamps again, I'd need t5 actinic in the mix too. But seems like a waste of $ when you can just run the 20k on their own and get the same effect.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7729911#post7729911 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Eric Boerner
I went from 250 watt XM 10ks to 400 watt XM 20ks a several years ago and I showed an increase in both growth and color in all my sps. Definately see more vivid colors, even without any actinic supplimentation.

I'd never go back to 10k, nor 250 watts. If I had to run 10k lamps again, I'd need t5 actinic in the mix too. But seems like a waste of $ when you can just run the 20k on their own and get the same effect.
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I think we'll make the jump to 400w eventually too, but these PFO ballasts are fairly new and we can't really afford to take a hit on them when we sell them used.
 
chappy: 10k 400 watts would probably be a bit harsh over a 180, especially the XM's because their PAR is so high, but the 20k's generally aren't as bad.
 
Not too much light at all. I have mine in spider reflector shrouds, SE bulbs. I also keep my lights 12" off the surface. As long as your not cooking the water, and not keeping low light species at the top of the tank, all should be well.
 
heh

heh

but they do not mix very well. there is a distinct color change from the sides to the midde.
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Yeah I noticed this too, but maybe not as dramatic with my 14k Phoenixes, but then again I run an 8 bulb t5 setup now, and love it, color and growth are outstanding, perfect coloration combo with 8 bulbs.

Good luck with your search, sounds like everyone has the same feeling 400 watt 20k XM's, I'd say spedn the bucks now to avoid the replacment later on, after the bulb purchase.

In this hobby going cheap on either lighting or skimmer is absolutely nuts, the two most crucial aspects of your tank.


best of luck
David
 
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