Ushio - XM - Phoenix

maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
Setting up a zoo frag tank and want to change out the HQI bulbs on a 36" 1x250 Coralife Aqualight Pro fixture, currently running 10k and want to change over to either Ushio - XM - Phoenix, 2 Questions. Standard size tank, 36" x 12"
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The Coralife HQI ballast will be ok with any of these brand bulbs?
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Which bulb 14k Phoenix or 20k Ushio or XM?
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Thanks
 
jlem

jlem

Active Member
Keep in mind that the bluer the bulb the slower growth you will have according to alot of coral growers. A 6500K bulb will grow corals faster than a 14000K bulb but the 14K bulb will give the corals better colors. Lots of fraggers will grow the corals under the 65K light and then move them over to a 14K or 20K bulb to bring the colors out before they sell the corals.
 
maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
I forgot to add that I have another frag tank with the 6500k's, this was the colorup tank. Figure I'll go ahead with the 20k's
 
maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
Acrylic are you running just the 10k's as I really can't stand this blue light, "Mad Growth" sounds good....
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
Yes I'm running the XM 10k's excuse the french, but almost a piss yellow color IMO.........that's even after being supplemented with 03's, and playing with the

[hr]
orientation of the bulbs......It's not super bad if your looking for fast growth, but lacks coloration of corals....I'm in the process of playing with a couple other bulbs, and probably the 10k's will be moved to the prop growout tank.....
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
ushio's or phoenix are a good choice, I have read mixed revues on the xm's but alot of people have had good luck w/them.
I personally would prob go Phoenix 14k, IMO...20k is too blue but its all personal preference!
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
CGrant what mixed reviews have your heard on the XM's? I'm pretty sure the reviews you've seen have been more on the 15k bulbs.....On the 10k's the worst you would have seen is yellow tint to the color.....Can't touch the PAR on the 10k's....Only bulb better in PAR is Iwaski........
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
Hi Acrylic!
I see you are an XM fan! :)
Most posts I have seen are color related, could very well have been the 15k flavor, really dont remember. Basically saying they didnt like the color.
Wasnt saying they were not good bulbs, just seems everyone has been raving about the Phoenix bulbs lately.
A friend of mine has them on his 240 and they look great!
if I remember correctly i they are 14k's
like i mentioned mostly personal preference!
 
acrylic51

acrylic51

Active Member
I can't say I'm a total fan.....love the growth out of the 10k's though......not thrilled with the color....even with 03 supplementation still lacking the blue.....They say the 15k has awesome color, but PAR sucks.......Any pics of the Phoenix bulbs??? I'm still playing with bulbs right now...
 
isistius

isistius

Active Member
i have the 15000k xm's. i love the color but im not crazy abouit the growth. i have heard great things about the aqualine bulbs. their 10000k bulb supposedly has the same color output as a 14000k bulb.
 
cgrant

cgrant

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
I can't say I'm a total fan.....love the growth out of the 10k's though......not thrilled with the color....even with 03 supplementation still lacking the blue.....They say the 15k has awesome color, but PAR sucks.......Any pics of the Phoenix bulbs??? I'm still playing with bulbs right now...
Its my buddy Mike's tank, i will try getting a pic from him for ya.
my outer orbit came in today but i am letting it warm up before i fire them up, its cold in nw indiana!

It came w/3x250w 8/39w t5
Cant wait to see what they look like.
Tomorrow I am running a dedicated 20a circuit just for the tank, no more running everything on the basement area circuit. 9.4a just from the light fixture. I think i would be popping breakers if i left it as is.
 
ejensen

ejensen

Member
Originally Posted by Isistius
i have the 15000k xm's. i love the color but im not crazy abouit the growth. i have heard great things about the aqualine bulbs. their 10000k bulb supposedly has the same color output as a 14000k bulb.

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Has anybody used aqualine 10k bulbs? I was thinking of getting some. If not I am going to try some Phoenix 14k's.
 
maxalmon

maxalmon

Active Member
Originally Posted by acrylic51
Congrats!!!!! I love electrical wiring!!!!!!
Wana come over and take care of my issues....LOL...This frag tank is the laundry room and the circuit keeps tripping, somebody told me it was becuse it was on a GFI circuit? I am totally clueless, but have to get this issue fixed before I finish the tank, right now I have to run x-cords from around the corner to fire up the lights..
 
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