Anyone use XM 10,000K Bulbs?

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:18 am

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?

Jahdiel · Post by **Jahdiel** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 7:31 pm

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

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 8:35 pm

Are they more blue or white than the Ushios?

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:32 pm

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.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Feb 26, 2005 9:36 pm

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.

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 2:19 am

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.

Brandon · Post by **Brandon** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 5:06 am

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.

Jahdiel · Post by **Jahdiel** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:51 am

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

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 8:11 am

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!

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 10:15 am

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.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 10:45 am

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.

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 12:25 pm

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!

medikall · Post by **medikall** » Sun Feb 27, 2005 6:33 pm

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.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 9:19 pm

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

KrazyPlace · Post by **KrazyPlace** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 10:20 pm

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?