XM 10k or Hamilton 14k for SPS Frag/grow out

[dvanacker]

I'm building a 2 x 2 x 1 frag tank and was wondering if I should go with a hamilton 14k for looks or a XM 10k PAR buster. This tank will have no actinic supplementation and house zoos, clams and SPS. I want the light to look nice but growth is a factor as well.

What do you think.

 

[elephen]

I've heard from lots of people who said they had reall slow growth with the Ham14k.

Light is one of the key factors but not the primary one, get your water quality good and any light will work

 

[dvanacker]

My water quality is good. This system will be tied into my display.

And saying ANY light will work is a bit of a stretch.

 

[MIKE NY]

XM 10ks for growth .....I used CV 14ks for about year and although the color was good I had no growth. As memtioned already there are alot of factors to consider for growth and color not just the lighting.

 

[Wiskey]

I measured the LUX out of a 250W 14K hamiltin and although the bulb was 10 months old, the output was pathetic.

If I were you I would go with 10K, it gives you good growth, and I happen to like the look.

Whiskey

 

[elephen]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7163121#post7163121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
I measured the LUX out of a 250W 14K hamiltin and although the bulb was 10 months old, the output was pathetic.

If I were you I would go with 10K, it gives you good growth, and I happen to like the look.

Whiskey

I run the CoralVue Reeflux 10k's on ReefFanatic e-ballast, they have really good output (not XM10k output) but good and the color is very crisp white with a nice hint of blue.

Here's a pic of the 250w Reeflux 10k on an HQI ballast next to one thats on an e-ballast.

 

[Racenrich]

i use the XM10K on my 22g prop tank....looks good and the corals like it!

personal preffence really.

10k is crisp white
14k has a blue hue to it!

RJK

 

[shelburn61]

elephen, where is the nipple on those two reeflux? right side is very blue

 

[elephen]

Shelburn, I havn't a clue, I just screwed it in. The reason it has a hint of blue is because its on an e-ballast, the left side is on an HQI ballast.

 

[Ti]

Xm 10K for growth

 

[MiddletonMark]

If this is for growout, go for PAR.

I'd check the tested ratings [Sanjay or Joe's stuff] off your ballast - but haven't been impressed by the PAR off the Ham 14k bulbs.

IMO - grow out is for growth, not because the bulb looks nice. That's what the main tank is for ...

 

[cw150]

i have the xm 10ks on my display and so far so good.

 

[jjmcat]

I use the 5500k plus hamilton on my diplay and i get good growth.As far as the yellow look i use some actinic vho bulbs.

 

[johnanddawn]

i just switched out my 14K hammi for a 10K ushio in the same type of tank too early to tell but i was much happier with my 10 K hammi then the 14 ever - the tank looks nice with 14 K but growth just wasn't there.......let you now in a month or so i gyess

heres a couple threads with pics under the 14K.....

http://nanotank.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3029

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=7096151#post7096151

 

[15nano]

I have had 10k XM'S in the past and had great growth but the 250's are just a little yellow for me.

 

[danskim]

Darn, I just switched to a Hamilton 14K... I hope my growth is okay. But now I am sad.

 

[Ixthys]

anyone care to share their PPFD measurements (and distance from bulb/ type of bulb) that have done the measurements?

TIA.
-Craig

 

[Brewen]

What is the frag tank going to be used for? To raise frags for sell and trade, JMO go with the 10k raise them fast and get the turn over. If you want the looks of the 14k that's for your display tank, unless your using your frag tank for display

 

[cthetoy]

Are we talking about DE or SE bulbs? Im looking to upgrade my 250watts DE from Ushio to XM and was wondering if the XMs are brighter.

Any opinions on the Aqualine AB DE 250 watters?

 

[dvanacker]

Im talking SE bulbs. And the tank is for growth but I also dont want it to look too bad because it would be in my living room.

I also have access to coralvue bulbs...what do you think about those??