OK, so what's a nice DE 250 bulb?

[Anonymous]

I've used ushio 10k in the past, would to go slightly, but not much, more blue. I have actinics also.

 

[Unarce]

XM's XDE 10K is a very nice bulb. Very good PAR without the yellow tint that you get from Ushio's 10K.

 

[Anonymous]

I am now using the 14K Phoenix bulb. It has a similar PAR rating as the 10K Ushio but it has a "Ice" blue tint to it. I like it allot.
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[Anonymous]

The XM 10,000K has a lot more PAR than the Ushio or Phoenix so be sure not to bleach out your corals if you go that route.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh, thanks for reminding me! I won a XM 10k bulb at the last macna. But what did I do with it....?

I'll try that brand...

 

[DapperDan]

Watch out, lots of reports on Reef Central of "yellow" XM bulbs!!!

DD

 

[Anonymous]

I just got a 20K XM. Nice and blue like I wanted. My old bulb was a Giessemann 14K. Way more yellow than I thought it would be.

 

[ChrisRD]

FWIW, Sanjay's data shows the 250 watt DE XM 10K at a (shielded) color temp of 7,000K and the Ushio at around 10,000K. I wouldn't expect it to appear bluer.

The only thing I'm seeing on his site that is slightly bluer than the Ushio with a bit more PAR is the BLV 10K. I think they're a bit pricey though...

 

[Anonymous]

Crapdoodles. I just ordered the XMs. Well, I've seen a lot of people using them and liking them, so hopefully they'll be ok.

 

[NKT]

I currently have the XM 10k 250w DE with a 40w PC actinic over my 30, which gives a pleasing neutral white color. Without the 40w PC I think the color is a little bit yellower than I'd normally prefer... let us know how yours turn out

 

[Anonymous]

I've had iwasakis in the past and know how much I hate yellow light.

I've just read a bunch of threads all over and it's insane the varying opinions on what the light looks like. I think part of the problem is people are just talking 10K XM without specifying DE or mogul.

 

[Anonymous]

I cancelled the bulbs. I have my free XM 10K bulb; I'll put that in the middle fixture when I get it and compare it to the Ushios.

 

[Anonymous]

I like my XM10KK DE with actinics. Without the actincs it does have a slight yellow tint.

 

[ChrisRD]

I think part of the problem is people are just talking 10K XM without specifying DE or mogul.

That would make sense because with Mogul lamps I think it's just the opposite (ie. the XMs are bluer than the Ushios).

 

[Unarce]

Sorry about that, Dan

I don't know what I was thinking when I said the XM was purely white. I think I had the Aqualine Buschke 10K in mind when I was typing. It's listed as a 10K, but is truly rated as a 13K.

 

[Anonymous]

No worries! I'll try the XM I already have. I might try AB when I replace the other two, but I haven't stumbled across much online feedback on that bulb.

 

[Anonymous]

I tired the Geissman 13K 250 DE and I did not like them. They appeared to be yellower than the Ushio 10K. I use a PFO 250W HQI ballast as well.
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[SnowManSnow]

i use BlueLIne 14k and love it. I don't need any actinic sups either! works great for me!

 

[ChrisRD]

The AB is similar to the XM - very bright but not really quite 10000K (I think it's more like 8000K).

The only lamps Sanjay has tested that have similar PAR to your Ushios with a bluer color will be the BLV 10K and the Phoenix 14K. The color difference between the Ushios and BLVs is so slight I doubt it would be noticeable.

Ushio now makes a 14K DE in 250 watt. That might be worth looking into, although I haven't seen any test data so don't know about the PAR...

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Chris, thats some good info. I thought I had heard that the AB was slightly bluer than the Ushio, but maybe not...?

I might investigate the phoenix...