XM 15K, anyone try them?

[ZaboAA]

Been using the XM 10k DE for about a year and half. Thinking of going with the 15K's, to take the edge (harshness) away. Think my corals will notice? Anyone try these?

Thanx Mark

 

[chemisfun11]

I have the 14k Ushio's and I'm going to be changing to the XM 15K's in about a week or so. I originally had 10k coralife bulbs but I like the look of the 14K range. Corals didn't notice much, just my eye. I haven't documented any growth, so hard to comment on that.

 

[ReefRockerLive]

XM 15k bulbs don't have a very good rep since the XM20k puts out more par, thus growth rate is slower. If your running 250w HQI, then I'd recommend the Phoenix 14k bulbs.

 

[Ti]

par is low, but the color is great.

 

[ZaboAA]

Thanx..

Thanx..

Interesting. Do you know the PAR for the XM 10K vise the XM15K vise the 14K? I'm getting pretty got growth with the 10K, I don't want to throw my corals for a loop.

Mark

 

[ReefRockerLive]

Here is a website that can be used to find par for different bulbs running on different ballasts. Also, if you like the color you get from the bulbs you have, then stick with that bulb.

If you find a bulb that has a higher par than the XM10 running on your ballast, you can try that out and you'll get better growth, but also get a yellow-ish look from the bulb, unless you get a bulb that is in the 12-14K which gives off a white look with some blue.

HTH

 

[Ti]

XM 10K to XM 15k is a pretty big drop in par

 

[mc-cro]

the 15k looked great, for about 3-4 months, by 6 months my corals were dieing off like they had been hit with the plague.
I hadnt realized how dim they really were, until I went back to the xm10k.

 

[ZaboAA]

wow..

wow..

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9006520#post9006520 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mc-cro
the 15k looked great, for about 3-4 months, by 6 months my corals were dieing off like they had been hit with the plague.
I hadnt realized how dim they really were, until I went back to the xm10k.

Wow, that sucks. I was thinking the 14K's. I'll probably stick with what I have now though. Anyone else hjave similar experiences?

Thanx Mark

 

[ZaboAA]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9005856#post9005856 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefRockerLive
Here is a website that can be used to find par for different bulbs running on different ballasts. Also, if you like the color you get from the bulbs you have, then stick with that bulb.

If you find a bulb that has a higher par than the XM10 running on your ballast, you can try that out and you'll get better growth, but also get a yellow-ish look from the bulb, unless you get a bulb that is in the 12-14K which gives off a white look with some blue.

HTH

Great site. Here is the info I came up for the 2 bulbs:

XM 10K = PPFD = 109 CCT = 7026
Phx 14K = PPFD = 88 CCT = 0


Is PPFD PAR? What do these numbers mean?

 

[StashuDave]

I tried the XM 15 K's in both the 175 watt and 400 watt. The 175 watters seemed really weak, the coloration reminded me of VHO. I ended up switching over to coralvue reeflux 12 K's. The 400 watt was much better. It still had a VHO purple type feel, but it seemed much closer to what a 400 watt bulb should be. Hope this help a little. Dave