Please Help my Choose a New Bulb

[143gadgets]

I am using 250w Icecap ballasts on a 75 gallon SPS tank. Do u guys think that 250w XM 20ks will be enough light on a 75 gallon SPS. I am currently using blueline 14k bulbs (listed as blueline 10k on Sanjay's website) and I like them, but I would love to get better color. I looked on Sanjay's website but I don't really understand the graphs. I am also trying to figure out which of the two has the most par. All help is appreciated.

 

[REEF-DADDY]

Are you running 2 bulbs? Either a Pheonix 14k or Reeflux 12k have good color and decent par, the XM 20ks don't push much par in 250w. BUT! If you have 2 bulbs on a 75 you will have plenty par with just about any bulb

 

[143gadgets]

Yes. I am running two bulbs on the 75g. They are SE bulbs also.

 

[nemofish2217]

the best SE 14k bulb. Aquaconnect 14k. i love it. i am running it un-supplemented and my tank has a very nice white color with a crisp blue hue to it. highly reccommended

 

[REEF-DADDY]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7449122#post7449122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemofish2217
the best SE 14k bulb. Aquaconnect 14k. i love it. i am running it un-supplemented and my tank has a very nice white color with a crisp blue hue to it. highly reccommended

yup!

 

[soldier1911]

I am currently running two xm 20k under lumenarc mini's and my corals look great. A very blue bulb in my opinion.

 

[143gadgets]

Thanks Guys!

I don't think I will get another 14k bulb though. I am looking to run either radiums or Xms when I change out the bulbs.


soldier1911

Where in MD are you located? I would like to see your setup if possible.

 

[Ti]

The XM 20K is a really nice bulb. I loved mine

 

[MSHUR]

i love radiums on hqi ballast.

 

[Stoney Mahony]

I love my XM 20K's. Cheaper and last longer. Cant beat um!

 

[bkelley02]

Where do you find these bulbs? I've been looking, been on the PA waiting list for months then they pulled the listing all together. Still can't find them anywhere.

Any help would be appreciated!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7449122#post7449122 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nemofish2217
the best SE 14k bulb. Aquaconnect 14k. i love it. i am running it un-supplemented and my tank has a very nice white color with a crisp blue hue to it. highly reccommended

 

[143gadgets]

ttt

 

[trueblackpercula]

I have done the same thing when I was ready to buy my bulb. I looked into every bulb,ballast,par rating,color temp ETC.....
What I came up with was a 250watt Icecap ballast whith a 13k DE Megachrome bulb. I will try and post a picutre for you later today but I will say I am most pleased with the bulb. I will also say that xm bulbs are good but will need to be changed out 6 to 8 months down the road. If your looking for better color than go with A higher Kelvin if you want growth 6500k are a better choice.
hope this was helpful
Michael

 

[mntl]

How deep is your tank? With 2x250 over a 75, unless it is 30" deep or more, I would guess you could run just about anything you want. Growth might suffer a bit with a really low out-put bub, but when acros get going, for the most part, they grow quickly anyways. What reflecters areyou using? If they are not so great, I would upgrade them if you are going with a low-out put bulb.

just my .02c

-John-

 

[kirstenk]

I checked on Sanjay's site and the XM 20K has the same par as the Blueline you are currently using so growth should remain the same. The XM should give you the additional color you are seeking.

I run 400W XM's on M59s. Color is very good, especially the blues, greens, purples. With 250W, Electronic ballast, I am thinking you might have a pretty blue tank. Taking pics will become more challenging. I change bulbs at 9 months. HTH