mh bulbs (1 Viewer)

[chrisyarbrough90]

is xm a good brand to use for sps? i no i will proly start a riot about bulbs lol but i just wnt a few reviews

 

[Ostentum]

Its all about personal preference. Your lower K bulbs give off more yellow, with the higher more blue. Having used XMs, Hamiltons, Reeflux, Coralvue, Coralife with everything from 6.5-14k. I would have to say that XM run a little more on the yellow side compared to other bulbs but they put out the most PAR of all them. Reeflux puts out a close second with a more blue tint to them. If you have been to TNT they use the 12k Reeflux on their main sps display. These are the bulbs that I am currently running also and have been happy with them. Also your lower K bulbs usually give you faster growth compared to the others. My favorite combination is Reeflux 12k bulbs with VHO super actinic giving you the best of both words, coloration closer to the 20k but with growth more along the lines of a 10k. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Scott]

Its not about preference, MY WAY IS BEST!! JK, Ostentum gave you some good info and, though I've never used them myself, I have never heard a complaint about the XM brand.

 

[chrisyarbrough90]

alright thanks its whats in my tank right now i have 2 t5s one on front and back of the halide i have the fiji purple in the back and super actinic in the front i like the look just wanted to no if i should go with xm again it came with the tank when i bought it...i think i burnt my corals at first to death on accident from the halide now i got some new ones and have them almost on the ground

 

[bevoboy]

Ostentum pretty much nailed it. It really depends what appeals to your eye. I've gone through most brands of MH bulb and really liked the brightness of the XM 10k (250w). It was a tad yellow without any supplementation but it sure was bright. Just need to make sure your ballast will fire the bulbs reliably.

 

[R-BallJunkie]

you may want to check out the EVC 14K's. nice spectrum and coloration, and the par values are good.

generally speaking, keep away from the XM's in the 20K range, the blue is too intense and the par values are horrible. not to mention its a pricey bulb.