New Bulbs are not bright!

[swimmer]

Hi All

I just replace my two old 150w 10K Coralife HQI Double Ended Metal Halide Bulbs with 150w 15K XM HQI Double Ended Metal Halide Bulbs and they are not even half as bright!

I read online that I need about 100 hours for it to get to its true color. Does this include the brightest as well? Or is it because they are 15k as opposed to the old 10k. I knew I was going to lose some brightest but heck my 65w PCs in my sump look brighter!
If so, I'm going to get the 150w 10K Ushio HQI AQ Double Ended Metal Halide Bulbs instead.

Any info will greatly be appreciated!!!!!!!

Sean

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Reef central does not support hotlinking. We will not be able to see your pics.

Welcome to MR.

 

[Wes]

xm 15k's are some of the dimmest bulbs available. Even the xm 20k is brighter than the 15k. Check sanjays reeflighting info for your next bulb choice. Click the reeflighting link in the top left corner of the MR homepage.

If you are looking for a bluer bulb that isn't super dim I recommend the pheonix 14k. Much brighter than the xm 15k's.

Welcome to MR.

Wes

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I Recommend The Ushio 14k. The Best Looking 14k Ive Seen, And Just The Right Blueness

 

[Tonyscoots84]

all i gotta say is helios 20 k..... i have them in the 250 wat de and they are awesome. the xm 15k are very dim i had them at one point and quickly got rid of them

 

[Tonyscoots84]

if your going with the blue look the ushio 10 k will not do any justice for that. it will be pretty much white/yellow. go with the pheonix if anything good bulb choice there as well.

 

[swimmer]

Thanks for all the input guys!
I liked the color of the 15K XMs but they were way too dim for my taste.
I will check out the 14k Phoenix and Ushio!

 

[daaznmofo]

i don't think you'll have any complaints with a phoenix or ushio bulb