Recommendations for 250 watt SE?

[Foogoo]

I got an XM 15k about 6 months ago just before I found out it's terrible for growth. I've got a lot more livestock now (softies, lps, sps) and want something that promotes growth a little better.

I'm running a plain magnetic ballast. I looked through the stickies in the lighting forums but it's just a jumble of numbers. What have you guys used that's worked well?

 

[moonpod]

aquaconnect if you're inclined to spend the cash.

 

[john37]

my 10k xm is really bright on an hqi ballast. Color is ok. would probably need actinics to make the flourescent colors pop!

 

[.Bulldog]

I've been really pleased with the growth rates under my Aqualine Buschke 10k bulbs.

To see colors pop, you may want to supplement with some actinic T5s, though.

 

[cthetoy]

Re: Recommendations for 250 watt SE?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7460970#post7460970 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Foogoo
I got an XM 15k about 6 months ago just before I found out it's terrible for growth. I've got a lot more livestock now (softies, lps, sps) and want something that promotes growth a little better.

I'm running a plain magnetic ballast. I looked through the stickies in the lighting forums but it's just a jumble of numbers. What have you guys used that's worked well?

The XM 15k sucked in PPFD (brightness) ratings according to Sanjay's test. The XM 10K has one of the highest PPFD in the 250 Watts SE category. Almost twice as much PPFD than the XM 15k