Don't Buy XM 15K's - Pics

[Anonymous]

I just ordered new Reeflux 10K's to replace my XM 15K's. I recall being told (by Greg Schiemer I believe) that the XM 15K were worthless, after I bought them. I ran them for 8 months anyways since I already bought them.

I did like the way the XM 15K's looked to my eye.

Today I installed the first of the Reeflux 10K's. I changed lamp number #4, which is the lamp on the far left in the pics from the front of the tank, and the one on the far right in the pic from the back side (you can see the reflectors in the pic of the backside).

The pictures don't even truly shows the dimness of the XM's or the brightness of the Reeflux. The Reeflux is easily twice as bright as the XM's.

Hopefully after I get all four lamps changed, and the photoperiod readjusted back to full, I'll finally start getting some better coral growth.

Louey

 

[cjsrch]

try dotating the bulb a bit. usualy one sides briter then theother ( and different color)

unless this is DE type

 

[Anonymous]

Such a Sweet setup...

 

[Anonymous]

cjsrch wrote:

try dotating the bulb a bit. usualy one sides briter then theother ( and different color)

In the voice of Ron White......"I don't think so, Scoter".

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Knucklehead wrote:

Such a Sweet setup...

Thanks Bryan!

Louey

 

[MartinE]

Such a Sweet setup...

I totally agree and I love the clean barebottom starboard treatment

 

[fyrefysh]

That IS a sweet setup. I've got a Phoenix 13kK DE 150W running on mine right now. This bulb is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay dimmer than the 10kK bulb that I replaced with it. I think the bluer the bulb, the less intensity and PAR you get IMO. Dang, I wish I had your tank Louey!

 

[trido]

You better watchout for that nice huge clam. It may take a finger if it snaps shut on you.

 

[Anonymous]

Trido wrote:

You better watchout for that nice huge clam. It may take a finger if it snaps shut on you.

I'm guess the clam is 14" long. Maybe 16".

I hope the new bulbs to make it have a growth spurt. 8O

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Trido wrote:

You better watchout for that nice huge clam. It may take a finger if it snaps shut on you.

I'm guess the clam is 14" long. Maybe 16".

I hope the new bulbs to make it have a growth spurt. 8O

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Schweet Lou!

 

[Anonymous]

No to the 15KK XM. I have to decide if I want to stick with the 10KK's or try somthing different on the new tank. I have a 250w 10KK XM DE. Will get another DE set to go with the one I have. Was thinking of trying the phenoix on the new setup to see what they are like.

 

[Anonymous]

I am not a real fan of the XM 20k's. After 6 months I have 2 totally different colored bulbs and of differing intesity. I am not sure what I am going to switch to yet though. I have heard good reviews about the phoenix 14k, but I am leaning towards a 10K bulb. Oh well. Nice setup BTW.

 

[Anonymous]

I put Reeflux 10K over my Refugium a few months ago so that I could decide if I wanted them over my display tank.

I like the color of them just fine. Thus I invested $220 (or so) on 4 more of them.

I decided to test them on my fuge because if I didn't like them it wouldn't mater. They can grow plants out of my eyesight for a year.

Buying the wrong colored bulb for your display tank sucks because you are kind of stuck with them. Unless you throw money around like a certain site administrator around here.

I think the par on these 15K's was alright to start with, then declined drastically very quickly. I think they stunted my corals growth. I should have thrown in the towel 4 months ago. Deteriorating bulbs sneak up on you because the change is so gradual you don't really notice it.

I am surprised that Greg Scheimer hasn't popped in to say "I told you so" lol.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I am definitly out of the 20ks soon as the pocket book can afford it. Unlike said admin, the military just doesn't have a reef special pay incentive lol.

 

[FragMaster]

I hate XM bulbs as a whole. Not just the 15k.
I have honestly had the best luck with Hamilton 14ks.
I know what sanjay says, and what other people have experienced, but I have had great luck with them for 4 years consistently.
Go figure eh?

 

[Anonymous]

I am actually very happy with my 20 K xm's. I tried the phoenix but they burned my coral. Maybe it is just the switch that is problematic.

 

[Anonymous]

Righty wrote:

I tried the phoenix but they burned my coral.

Did your corals recover fully?

I am changing out one lamp every other day, or so. Then I am adding a half hour "off" period during the middle of the photoperiod. I'll eliminate the half hour off periods one at a time, prolly also staggared a couple of days apart.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

They recovered after I switched to the 20 k's.

 

[Anonymous]

Tank is looking good Lou.