question on XM bulbs???
 

I have heard that the 20K 250w XM bulbs put out a better par rate than the 15K 250w XM bulbs. Does anyone know how true this is? I switched from the 15ks to the 20ks and am just wondering if I made a good choice. I am running these on a standard 120g tank (I think 48x20x20) for 10hrs a day with actinics for total of 12, on 1 hour before, off 1 hour after. Suggestions on if this is enough or if anyone thinks I should leave them on longer or not, I know some leave their halides on for up to 12 hours a day.

Thanks
-Andrew-

I think sanjay has a chart somewhere on every bulb.

How do you like the color, is it really blue? If you dont have a problem with algae I would leave them on as much as you want. You can also run antinics longer & shorten your halides.

Just my 2 cents
Craig

BTW


<----------------------------------- How bout them Bears!

haha..............you may have got us, but the Bears can enjoy January from the couch!!!!

the ppfd on an xm 15k bulb is 55
the ppfd on an xm 20k bulb is 73

according to sanjay

hope that helps.

I have not personally tested either of these bulbs and [url=http://www.reeflightinginfo.arvixe.com/index.htm]Sanjay's Reef Lighting Pages[/URL] is the best source of information we have.

When comparing an electronic and HQI ballast, the difference for either bulb is minimal If you want to gain PAR, try lowering your bulbs closer to the water. I tried it with my lights and gained a PAR of 100 by dropping it from 8" to 7" with minimal heat gain.

Ice Cap 250W Electronic:
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d98/slovan1/untitled.jpg[/IMG]

PFO 250W HQI:
[IMG]http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d98/slovan1/untitled1.jpg[/IMG]

I ran that same test only I used the M58 ballast which seems to have alot more diff. that is where I got my answer from.

BTW how do you take screen shots and post them?