Islander84
Reefer
Which one gives off the best color and growth combo of these two bulbs. Please post a pic if you have one thanks
phoenix 14k or xm 20k DE 250watt
- Thread starter Islander84
- Start date
Faye
New member
I just got an xm 20k se bulb today, I have had a double ended pheonix 14k in the past. The xm has more blue/slight hint of purple in it. I usually don't go for 20k bulbs, but the xm really shows off the colors well. As far as growth to coral go I can not comment on the XM, the pheonix I had in the past the growth was great.
Reefers Digest
New member
I've used both in the past, and personally prefer the Phoenix 14k. The XM is a little too blue for my taste.
Growth was good with both.
Growth was good with both.
I'm running a Phoenix 14k DE 250 and it's too white for me personally. The best bulb I've used in my 150 watt MH was the Aqualine Pro series. They're expensive, but I got the best color and growth out of the corals. Also, it's got a little more blue to it, but has the best par rating of the 20k's. That's what I'm going to use when my Phoenix comes due for replacement.
I personally like the Phoniex due to what the color looks like and the growth for that matter after 4-6 months. XM 20k seem to lose some PAR and Phoniex seems to hold it much longer. Again just my thoughts. I have used 20K radium and XM 20K and still prefer Phoniex over the 2.
Dav
Dav
reefsahoy
I can see thru you!
tbaquatics.com
Islander84
Reefer
Thanks for the help guys. Thanks for throwing that out there reefsahoy! I'm always looking for better products. Seems as you have an awesome reef at hand you know what's working
Alex T.
Active member
It's really going to depend on what ballast you will be using to drive any of these bulbs. I can't speak for the 250 watt versions, but I've driven 400 watt Radiums and XM20K on Galaxy Electronic ballasts which overdrive the bulbs. It gives a crisp white with slight blue tint that is indistinguishable in color between the two bulbs, but a slight PAR advantage is measured with the Radiums.If I install the same bulbs on my older Blueline electronic ballasts there is a much more noticeable blue tint and the tank is not as bright.
If you check Sanjay's lighting guide on Manhattan Reefs you'll note that the ballast that drives the bulb is everything when it relates to the Spectral Plot, which tell you how blue the bulb will measure with your ballast, and the PAR intensity you can expect as well.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
If you check Sanjay's lighting guide on Manhattan Reefs you'll note that the ballast that drives the bulb is everything when it relates to the Spectral Plot, which tell you how blue the bulb will measure with your ballast, and the PAR intensity you can expect as well.
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting
Islander84
Reefer
the ballast is whatever comes with the current usa outer orbit light fixture.
reefknight
New member
Personally I used Ushio 20K 250DE on IceCap ballasts and loved them. Had a nice balance between the washed 14k and the too blue 20k's.
My $0.02
My $0.02
Chinch Bug
Member
i know you didn't ask about this bulb but if you like blue without the windex look, check out the EVC 20k. it's an awesome bulb!
heres a pic for reference
+1, love the evc de 250's
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
A friend of mine used XM 20k's on his outer orbit. They seemed a little low on PAR and lacking in spectral plot. It just gave the tank a dim blue look; IMO, the current ballast isn't the best for the XM's. Shortly afterward, he switched to the 14k Phoenix's; the difference was pretty incredible. Definitely seemed like a good choice for that fixture; it was brighter and more full in color. One great thing about Phoenix's is how they seem to keep descent PAR, even after 6 months. If I remember correctly the PAR readings from 6 months to a year weren't very different.
Both are great bulbs; like mentioned before, it really comes down to your ballast when choosing your bulb. I've seen XM's look bright and full with great color, but I think the Phoenix is the better choice for your light. On the side of comfort, even if you find yourself not satisfied with your choice, you can always compensate with your T5's.
kaserpick
Keeping it Simple
Here's a link to help you out!
Bulbs for Outer Orbit
You'll notice that Phoenix pops up quite a bit for this fixture. There are also some good T5 recommendations. :thumbsup:
Bulbs for Outer Orbit
You'll notice that Phoenix pops up quite a bit for this fixture. There are also some good T5 recommendations. :thumbsup:
reefsahoy
I can see thru you!
electronic ballast. i really like this bulb. you don't even need atinics when using this bulb. the colors are really nice once it burns in which takes approx a week. no kind of photoshop was done to the pics above and heres a video to show you exactly what the bulb looks like while using 1 fiji purple and three giesemann atinic + T5's
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