Mobile Bay Reef Keepers

I've got to buy 2 new 250 watt 10,000K bulbs next month. I'm using the Ushio right now, but the XM bulbs are about $25 cheaper each. Does anyone use the 10,000K XM? How do they look compared to the Ushio?

We used Ushio 10K 175w to start with and now use XM 10K 175w. We like the look of the XM's. Ours looked yellow to start with, but burned in a crisp white after several days. We are pleased with the color and price of the product.

Billy

Are they more blue or white than the Ushios?

I have not used any 10kk bulbs but here are a few plots to the 10kk XM 250w and the Ushio 10kk 250w. They look pretty close so I would imagine that the color would be close but not as yellow because there aren't ant real spikes in that range.

Go here:http://metricksystem.com/chris/250wcolour/ and choose XM on one side and Ushio on the other and you will see that the XM appears whiter.

By looking at the wavelength scans, it appears the XM are bluer than the Ushios. I think I'll try them out next time, on ebay you can get them starting around $50.

I've been running one for about 8 months (i guess) and I like it a lot. I will go back with xm10k's when it is time to get new bulbs.

The chart may indicate a bluer spectrum, but visually they are crisp white. If we override our Actinics, it is stark white. Are you going to rely on the MH's for a blue hue, like the Radiums?

Billy

I have 2x actinic VHO's and 2x 10,000K VHO's in my hood with the 2x 250 watt MH. The Ushio is a pretty white bulb and I like it. I don't go for as much blue as I have seen in most of the other member's tanks. Billy & Karen, I liked the look of your lighting. I feel pretty comfortable going with the XM now... Thanks everyone!

This is an interesting article by Advanced Aquarist Online Magazine:

http://www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/ ... review.htm

Basically the Ushio has about a 9,000K true color temp and the XM has closer to a 12,000 true color temp. The PAR (PPFD) for the XM is also significantly stronger on the XM.

I have been researching this because Shawn was looking at different bulbs. I was using XM 20kk and they were just too blue. I went back to my Iwasaki's for now. Here is a pic of the Ushio's with actinics

Xm with actinics


The XMs have more PAR than every other bulb except the Iwasaki on a M58 ballast too.

I know that when I take pictures with my camera, that they will come out differently depending on the settings of the camera, cycles of the moon, and my ability to take a picture. Those pictures were taken several weeks apart (look closely at the monti cap). I can't put alot of confidence into the pictures unless they were taken at the same time (i.e. day).

All that being said... Scott, I agree with you. I've seen "other" 20,000K bulbs and I don't like the blue color. I use to have the Iwasaki's 6500K before I put in these Ushio 10,000K. I think I can handle a little more blue (XM 10,000K), but never the 20,000K!

I have used the XM20k (to blue didnt like) AB13k (Favorite so far) Ushio 10k (Pretty good) and am now trying the Hamilton 14k (not real fond of). I am going to try out the XM10ks next.

Jeff, did you ever change bulbs? I am going to change soon and want to hear from someone that is using them.

I haven't yet, but I'm going with the XM 10,000K bulbs. I saw your other post were your trying to sell the XM 20,000K bulbs. Were they too blue?