10K 250Watt MH Double Ended question

[jefft321]

I have read and seen lots of posts on these lights, I am looking for a 10K 250Watt Mh Double ended bulb for my light fixture, I have 4 x 54 watt T5's that I can suppliment.
I am trying to decide betweem Ushio 10K which I have read can either be white, yellow, or slightly blue, XM 10K which I have read can be yellow, white or slightly blue, and the Reeflux which I have read is a little more blue than white?
I am totally confused, I have seen some pics of them, and the same bulb looks different in different pics.
Bottom line.... I don't want a Yellow tint to the light in my tank, but I want the best overall pop and growth from my corals.
- Thanks

[sirreal63]

I have had both the Ushio and the XM 10k in a double ended variety. The XM was much better looking than the Ushio which was way too yellow. I fired mine with an ARO electronic ballast. An M80 would have changed the color slightly and if it were mogul it may look different as well. There are a lot of variables in setups and how a bulb will look.

You have to remember that the ballast has a lot to do with the color of the bulbs being fired. Also pics are hard to go by because not everyone sets their white balance correctly. Water clarity also impacts the color.

[kdblove_99]

I have never had a XM 10K for DE. But did own a Ushio and agree it was too yellow for my taste.

XM has excellent PAR also

[jefft321]

How do the Reeflux 10K's compare with the Ushio, and XM?

[megachrome]

Forget XM and reeflux

Phoenix 14K is just awexome. You can make a search for thread on this subject (a lot of them on reef central), like I did when changing my bulb 2 months ago.

Good light for less $$$

About 70$ / bulb

[jefft321]

I like the Phoenix 14k, but the tank doesn't seem as bright as it should, and it seems just a little bluer than I want.

[sirreal63]

Phoenix. lol The most un-natural washed out blue I ever lit my tank with. I know a lot of people use them but McDonalds also sells more burgers than anyone else but that doesn't make them delicious.

[jefft321]

How would an HQI ballast affect XM, Reeflux, or Ushio bulbs?

[sirreal63]

It would burn the bulb to the correct spec. How does that relate to the color I have no idea. My guess is it would be less blue but that is just a guess.

[Waxxiemann]

I wonder how the hamilton 14k is?

[sirreal63]

The color on the Hammy is great but the par is not good. It was my first 250 watt DE bulb, I loved the color but the par was just too low.

[Waxxiemann]

hmmmmm... what about Aqua Connects? They're EXPENSIVE though.

I'm running the Ushio 10k DE's on a Blue Wave 7 right now and I need to change out bulbs as well, so this is a good topic. =) They are WAY to yellow for me but I used them for a year and I am looking forward to somthing new.

[sirreal63]

I went from Hamilton 14k, Phoenix 14k, Ushio 10k and then XDE 10k. The XDE's were by far the best looking and had the most par. I also went from an hqi ballast to an electronic one starting with the Phoenix which ran under both at one time. I didn't like the phoenix at all.

I haven't used the Aqua Connects and probably won't. I will stay with the XM/XDE's.

[Waxxiemann]

is that the 10 or 20k XM?

[sirreal63]

10K xde is the same as xm but in a double ended version.

[Waxxiemann]

great, thanks for the info =)

[tony13]

I have the XM 10k DE lamps on with 4 actinic vho's and am happy with the colors. The growth is very good also. With 4 T5's if your looking for growth along with color I think you'll be satisfied. I'm curious about the 14k xm's though. I don't want as much growth and want more pop. I've seen them at a lfs and thy look pretty good and wonder if they would give that extra pop that your looking for (and me too). Anybody ever use them?

[DarG]

Jeff ... 10000K reeflux is not more blue than white. Really doesnt have much of a blue look actually.

Sounds like you are looking for a predominantly white bulb with good par. If so, check out the Iwasaki 14000K. Bright white with a little bit of a blue tint. Really a crisp looking bulb. You can color it up any way you like with 4 T5's without having to compensate for any yellow or too much blue.

[jefft321]

Is the Iwasaki as blue as the 14K Phoenix?

[DarG]

No, not even close. The Iwasaki is a white bulb, just a very slight blue tint. It is not a blue bulb. The Phoenix is a 20000K + bulb labeled as a 14000K.