I'm still debating these two bulbs, does anyone thing it's worth the 20+ bucka each for the Iwasaki? I will be running them with the M57 magnetic ballast. I am debating between the Iwasaki 14k and the XM 15K. I know you all have opinions, maybe even pics would be nice if you have them. I'm strapped for cash so saving the 40 some bucks would be great but.
XM vs. Iwasaki
- Thread starter ozman3803
- Start date
E-A-G-L-E-S
New member
The Saki (if able to be fired by an m57?) would give a white color and much more PAR and the XM 15K would give you blue and less PAR.
markandkristen
Active member
i would look into the reeflux 12ks for 175 watters at the reef stop dot com their like 48 a piece. thats a nice comparable bulb to the xm 15ks which ive herd some say they are horrible when it comes to par. but that just me.
Froggy
Reef "Hobbyist"...right!?
Depending on the type of tank SPS, Mixed, LPS dominant etc I think the extra money is well worth it. I have never used the XM 15 K bulb but they get pretty bad reviews as far as PAR from users of this board.
I currently use the Iwasaki 15 K bulb on a M57 ballast ( which comes out at about 71 PPFD/PAR ) so they will fire fine on that ballast but have a bit less PPFD. The Iwasaki's are 86 PPFD on electronic ballasts. Compare that to the XM 15 K and they are only at 39 PPFD/PAR on a M57 ballast.
I have also used the 175 watt 10 K Reeflux bulb and liked the color. Not sure how they test out but the 250 watt 10 K Reeflux tests out at 70 PPFD/PAR on a standard M58 ballast so I can only assume the 175 watt version is much less. The Iwasaki 175 watt 15 K bulb matches the 250 watt Reeflux even on a standard ballast. IMO that is hard to beat.
I chose to stay with the M57 ballast for now as I also have a few LPS and a couple of softies. If I ever went all SPS I would upgrade to an electronic ballast to take advantage of the 86 PPFD.
The color is nice on the Iwasaki as well. Bright white. If you like a lot of blue, the Iwasaki will not give that.
I guess in long, I think the extra money is worth it for the Iwasaki.
I currently use the Iwasaki 15 K bulb on a M57 ballast ( which comes out at about 71 PPFD/PAR ) so they will fire fine on that ballast but have a bit less PPFD. The Iwasaki's are 86 PPFD on electronic ballasts. Compare that to the XM 15 K and they are only at 39 PPFD/PAR on a M57 ballast.
I have also used the 175 watt 10 K Reeflux bulb and liked the color. Not sure how they test out but the 250 watt 10 K Reeflux tests out at 70 PPFD/PAR on a standard M58 ballast so I can only assume the 175 watt version is much less. The Iwasaki 175 watt 15 K bulb matches the 250 watt Reeflux even on a standard ballast. IMO that is hard to beat.
I chose to stay with the M57 ballast for now as I also have a few LPS and a couple of softies. If I ever went all SPS I would upgrade to an electronic ballast to take advantage of the 86 PPFD.
The color is nice on the Iwasaki as well. Bright white. If you like a lot of blue, the Iwasaki will not give that.
I guess in long, I think the extra money is worth it for the Iwasaki.
nanoreefbro
New member
I've used the XM 20K and had no problems with them at all.. They work great.
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