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05/20/2011, 07:36 PM | #1 |
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phoenix 14k or xm 20k DE 250watt
Which one gives off the best color and growth combo of these two bulbs. Please post a pic if you have one thanks
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05/20/2011, 08:29 PM | #2 |
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Hard choice there. Both are great bulbs and very similar in color and PAR. The XM is a little more blue but not much. You will be very happy with either of the 2. Both will give great color and growth in your corals.
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05/20/2011, 08:46 PM | #3 |
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I just got an xm 20k se bulb today, I have had a double ended pheonix 14k in the past. The xm has more blue/slight hint of purple in it. I usually don't go for 20k bulbs, but the xm really shows off the colors well. As far as growth to coral go I can not comment on the XM, the pheonix I had in the past the growth was great.
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05/20/2011, 08:53 PM | #4 |
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I've used both in the past, and personally prefer the Phoenix 14k. The XM is a little too blue for my taste.
Growth was good with both. |
05/21/2011, 12:51 PM | #5 |
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XM 20K's are my favorite bulb ! I hate the windex look of the phoenix 14K.
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Andy SCRK Member Current Tank Info: Barebottom, 65 Bow-Front, 20 gal sump/fuge, octo extreme 160, (2) Lumen Max3 250W w/ XM 20k's, 2 VHO Actinic and (1) VorTech MP40w & (1) VorTech MP10 |
05/21/2011, 02:31 PM | #6 |
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I'm running a Phoenix 14k DE 250 and it's too white for me personally. The best bulb I've used in my 150 watt MH was the Aqualine Pro series. They're expensive, but I got the best color and growth out of the corals. Also, it's got a little more blue to it, but has the best par rating of the 20k's. That's what I'm going to use when my Phoenix comes due for replacement.
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05/21/2011, 02:59 PM | #7 |
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I personally like the Phoniex due to what the color looks like and the growth for that matter after 4-6 months. XM 20k seem to lose some PAR and Phoniex seems to hold it much longer. Again just my thoughts. I have used 20K radium and XM 20K and still prefer Phoniex over the 2.
Dav
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05/21/2011, 03:18 PM | #8 |
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Def the Pheonix...I have 250w single ended and they are great. Looks identical to Radiums but with slightly higher par.
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05/21/2011, 04:10 PM | #9 |
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i know you didn't ask about this bulb but if you like blue without the windex look, check out the EVC 20k. it's an awesome bulb!
heres a pic for reference Last edited by reefsahoy; 05/21/2011 at 04:16 PM. |
05/21/2011, 11:19 PM | #10 |
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reefsahoy, where do you buy your EVC bulbs?
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05/22/2011, 06:44 AM | #11 |
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05/22/2011, 09:04 AM | #12 |
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Thanks for the help guys. Thanks for throwing that out there reefsahoy! I'm always looking for better products. Seems as you have an awesome reef at hand you know what's working
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05/22/2011, 09:44 AM | #13 |
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It's really going to depend on what ballast you will be using to drive any of these bulbs. I can't speak for the 250 watt versions, but I've driven 400 watt Radiums and XM20K on Galaxy Electronic ballasts which overdrive the bulbs. It gives a crisp white with slight blue tint that is indistinguishable in color between the two bulbs, but a slight PAR advantage is measured with the Radiums.If I install the same bulbs on my older Blueline electronic ballasts there is a much more noticeable blue tint and the tank is not as bright.
If you check Sanjay's lighting guide on Manhattan Reefs you'll note that the ballast that drives the bulb is everything when it relates to the Spectral Plot, which tell you how blue the bulb will measure with your ballast, and the PAR intensity you can expect as well. http://www.manhattanreefs.com/lighting |
05/22/2011, 10:41 AM | #14 |
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the ballast is whatever comes with the current usa outer orbit light fixture.
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05/22/2011, 11:59 AM | #15 |
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Personally I used Ushio 20K 250DE on IceCap ballasts and loved them. Had a nice balance between the washed 14k and the too blue 20k's.
My $0.02
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05/23/2011, 09:44 PM | #16 |
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05/25/2011, 09:17 PM | #17 |
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Chinch Bug & Reefsahoy: What ballast do you run your EVC DE 250w with? electronic?
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Mixed SPS & LPS reef:45gal cube, 10gal sump/fuge w/ chaeto & gracillaria, mag 9.5 return w/ SCWD, MP10, koralia 1, Aqua C remora, Via Aqua heater, 250w DE MH w/ Geismann 12.5k bulb & ARO ballast, 2x24wT5HO ATI Blue plus bulbs, phosban reactor w/ BRS GFO, RKL, ATO, BRS doser with two-part |
05/25/2011, 11:37 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
Both are great bulbs; like mentioned before, it really comes down to your ballast when choosing your bulb. I've seen XM's look bright and full with great color, but I think the Phoenix is the better choice for your light. On the side of comfort, even if you find yourself not satisfied with your choice, you can always compensate with your T5's.
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05/25/2011, 11:47 PM | #19 |
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Here's a link to help you out!
Bulbs for Outer Orbit You'll notice that Phoenix pops up quite a bit for this fixture. There are also some good T5 recommendations.
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05/26/2011, 04:55 AM | #20 | |
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Quote:
[IMG][/IMG] Last edited by reefsahoy; 05/26/2011 at 05:04 AM. |
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05/26/2011, 09:24 AM | #21 |
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very nice reefsahoy! Do you have a thread with info on your setup?
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05/26/2011, 09:28 AM | #22 | |
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Thanks for the info!
Quote:
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05/26/2011, 10:31 AM | #23 |
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Sure thing! I went to LED's, but I think I'll always miss Halides.
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05/26/2011, 01:44 PM | #24 | |
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Quote:
i recently went on vacation and the person taking care of the tank unplugged the ca reactor, the alk, ca, and mg dove and so it looks alittle like global warming happening at the moment. but "I'll be back"! this is going to give me an opportunity to do some replacing corals and rescaping some. . [Tank under construction] btw i just ordered new EVC replacements. Last edited by reefsahoy; 05/26/2011 at 02:12 PM. |
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05/26/2011, 09:44 PM | #25 |
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I recently switched to 15K XM bulbs, I was running 14k phoenix in my outter orbit with 4 T-5's I really loved my 14k's but XM only been running 2 days ATM gonna wait for burn in which manufacturer says 100hrs so we will see!!
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