time to change Mh Bulbs

[ecomdesign]

i bought my tank used about 6 months ago. I have no idea how old the MH bulbs are and I think I should change them. The colours on some of my corals and my anemone are starting to fade a bit. Is this normal with old bulbs?

I have been having trouble with my temps aswell, which I am waiting on some new fans that I have ordered to come in. My temps have been around 78 in the morning and around 83 at night when the lights go out. I'm hoping the new fans will fix that problem though.

I was looking at the XM 250 watt 20k bulbs beacuse they have a high PAr rating. Can anyone tell me the pros and/or cons to such high PAR ratings?

 

[ecomdesign]

bump^

 

[troyman]

its ok if you like blue water i like 10000k very natural mixed with actinic lights evens them out makes water looks icy

 

[vr697getta]

i was thinking about trying there 15k bulbs
not a fan of 20k

 

[grigsy]

There really isnt a "con" to high PAR ratings.

As for XM 15K - that is a junk bulb. XM 20K is a good bulb and a MUCH better choice to purchase IMO.

 

[vr697getta]

i have to experience with the 15k xm why is it junk

 

[grigsy]

relatively speaking of course.

Very low par. The XM 20K is much better bulb and a better buy. Higher PAR, better growth from it versus their 15K.

Do a search or ask around about XM 15K - many hobbyists will agree.

 

[bravanc]

What ballast are you using? I like the IceCap 250 watt XM 20k combo. Coralvue and coralvue reeflux 12k combo is very nice too.

 

[200mfromocean]

The reeflux 20k had better par than reeflux 12k in one of the recent tests. Xm 20K is good too. The ballast u are using makes a differnce.

 

[vr697getta]

never saw a reeflux 20k only 12k

 

[ecomdesign]

I'm using a CoralVue Ballast. I'd imagine its farily old. The PAR rating does change alot from the Xm 15k to the 20k. I have no idea what I'd prefer as I havent seen to many setups in person. Maybe I'll just go with the 20k Xm bulb and hope I like it. if I dont, I can always buy something else down the road and keep the xm's for spares.