What 20K bulbs are the sps reefers using?

[docwells]

I was wondering what the sps reefers are using in the 20k bulb these days. I am going to set up a 36x30x16 tank soon. I am thinking of using a lumenarc reflector with a 250 watt 20k radium on the new icecap ballast. I was wondering what others are using and recommend.

 

[SunnyX]

20K XM 20K for over twos years now. I have had nothing but great results with them.

 

[SunnyX]

20K XM 20K for over twos years now. I have had nothing but great results with them.

 

[twon8]

i use the 20k xm, but only 400w, the 250 is not nearly as good a bulb

 

[todd rose]

20K 400 watt Radiums

 

[Znut Reefer]

20K XM's 400's

 

[reefer1024]

I have tried both the Radium and XM in the 150 watt DE versions on a magnetic HQI ballast. The Radium is a crisp white/blue color and litteraly twice as bright as the XM. I use the XM because I like the look way more and I dont need the extra brightness on my 12" cube. The XM is much bluer and makes all the colors fluoresce a lot more. The XM is really really really blue. Really.

 

[UltimateFrag]

400w 20K Helios bubls.

 

[tunaluver]

how does the helios compare with the xm?

 

[CAreefer]

400 w 20k Helios is my bulb of choice on IceCap, Galaxy or HQI. M59 is pretty bad however.

I don't like the 250 version. Radiums on HQI are too short lived for my bulb budget.

I've never seen the XM's in person.

Alot depends on the ballast the bulbs are ran on.

CAReefer

 

[CAreefer]

oops DP

 

[Horace]

400w XM 20k on M59 here.

 

[Michael7979]

400w 20k Radiums here.

 

[gcarroll]

250 watt Radium on SLS Galaxy ballasts.

 

[mpoletti]

I just switched to 250w Helios DE on blue waves. I can already see a big difference.

 

[sdoggssf]

If you were only going to run one 400w 20k, with no other lighting what bulb would you use? Emphasis on color of the coral not growth...

 

[saltysupply]

I generally like the 400 watt xm's, right now I am using 400w 20k Ushios and am getting better growth from them.

 

[CamBarr]

250 DE 20k USHIO They are pretty blue not super purple like the XM's

 

[tfp]

250w Helios on Icecap E-ballast atm.

 

[crispyreef]

250W 20K reefoptics.