phoenix 14k or xm 20k DE 250watt

[Islander84]

very nice reefsahoy! Do you have a thread with info on your setup?

 

[Islander84]

Thanks for the info!

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]

Thanks for the info!

Sure thing! :thumbsup: I went to LED's, but I think I'll always miss Halides.

 

[reefsahoy]

very nice reefsahoy! Do you have a thread with info on your setup?

thanks, heres my build but it hasn't been updated in quite awhile. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663134

i recently went on vacation and the person taking care of the tank unplugged the ca reactor, the alk, ca, and mg dove and so it looks alittle like global warming happening at the moment. but "I'll be back"! this is going to give me an opportunity to do some replacing corals and rescaping some.

. [Tank under construction]:hammer:

btw i just ordered new EVC replacements.

 

[Dynamic_Reef]

I recently switched to 15K XM bulbs, I was running 14k phoenix in my outter orbit with 4 T-5's I really loved my 14k's but XM only been running 2 days ATM gonna wait for burn in which manufacturer says 100hrs so we will see!!

 

[Islander84]

Cool! Please keep me updated on comparison between the two. Thanks

I recently switched to 15K XM bulbs, I was running 14k phoenix in my outter orbit with 4 T-5's I really loved my 14k's but XM only been running 2 days ATM gonna wait for burn in which manufacturer says 100hrs so we will see!!

 

[Islander84]

OUCH!! Someone would be having some serious ear trouble after the screaming stopped!:debi: .....lol....so where did you find the new evc bulbs i looked but couldnt find any

thanks, heres my build but it hasn't been updated in quite awhile. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1663134

i recently went on vacation and the person taking care of the tank unplugged the ca reactor, the alk, ca, and mg dove and so it looks alittle like global warming happening at the moment. but "I'll be back"! this is going to give me an opportunity to do some replacing corals and rescaping some.

. [Tank under construction]:hammer:

btw i just ordered new EVC replacements.

 

[reefsahoy]

^tbaquatics.com is the only place where i can find them

 

[Chinch Bug]

Chinch Bug & Reefsahoy: What ballast do you run your EVC DE 250w with? electronic?

No my ballast is an m80 not electronic . I have two evc on the outside and one xm in the middle. The evc are much brighter. I bought my evc from TBAquatics

Dan

 

[tcoral]

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:

+1 on a Phoenix with a current USA fixture. When I had one and it needed a new bulb I went Phoenix and it was a huge improvement

 

[Stanley-Reefer]

phoenix 3x250w DE and 5 ecoxotic panorama 453nm leds for actinics...

 

[smariner]

Yes, glad you liked the EVC lamps. They are great and people here on RC have had great success with them.

Hope this helps,
Chad D. Bryant

 

[tamarindthai]

phoenix 14k ,,great color:wavehand:

 

[JustAClownFish]

XM 20K's are my favorite bulb ! I hate the windex look of the phoenix 14K.

I know this thread is old but 14k and Windex look? What sense does that make considering the fact that you like 20k bulbs more, which are BLUER than 14k bulbs?

I have Phoenix bulbs and they are WHITE with a hint of blue. It is such a little amount of blue that my corals look brown. Get a T5 fixture and put only ATI Blue Plus. THAT'S a Windex look.