XM 15K PAR value (1 Viewer)

[AggieBrandon]

Did you all see how poorly the XM 15K bulb's PAR value was? Joe (JB NY) tested it out to have 264 PAR on a Standard PFO M58 Ballast and 318 PAR on a PFO HQI Ballast. Not much higher PAR value than the XM 20K. I think when I upgrade I'll change to the XM 10K bulbs instead. Hard to argue with 600 PAR

Here is the link to Joe's Lamp Test: http://www.cnidarianreef.com/lamps.cfm


B

 

[BrianPlankis]

Thanks for the link Brandon. I was considering the XM 15s and I'll be passing on them now. I love the growth I'm getting from my XM10K, just wish they were a bit more blue.

 

[AggieBrandon]

No problem Brian. Glad it helped you out

 

[SeanB]

Cool. Glad I went with the 10K's.

 

[Linda]

Ya'll are great. I just ordered XM 10Ks last night....Now I'm so glad I did.!

 

[FireEater]

I am considering changing my 250w 10k XM out for a 14k Hamilton. I already have 175w 13k Catalina bulbs on each end.

The XM bulb has looked great but I want a little more color from my corals.

Mark

 

[Cakepro]

I put the 15000K XM's on my reef some weeks ago and my (what I thought was a) plain green monti cap has taken on a lovely purple rim. I'm very happy with the colors in my tank.

So with these lower-PAR bulbs, is the life of the bulbs reduced? Should I be thinking of switching them out at 6 or 8 months rather than 10 or 12?

 

[AggieBrandon]

AB13K: Aqualine Buske 13000K look to be pretty good bulbs...probably are a little more expensive though. PAR and color look nice though.

AC14K: AquaConnect 14000K also look pretty nice but the PAR level isn't as high as the above bulb.

Both bulbs should give good color to your corals. If not there are always 20K bulbs