XM or Hamilton Tech Bulbs?

Discussion in 'Metal Halide Aquarium Lighting' started by crustytheclown, Mar 29, 2010.

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  1. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    i am trying to figure out which bulbs to purchase and am wondering what others have to say about xm and Hamilton bulbs?
     
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  3. slocal

    slocal Doot!

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    I'm using 250w XM 15000k's and I can say I'm happy with the whitish-blue that they put out. They've pretty much remained the same after the 100hr break in.
     
  4. Xiztence

    Xiztence Gigas Clam

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    I'm using 150 watt 14k Pheonix lamps
     
  5. crustytheclown

    crustytheclown Eyelash Blennie

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    does anyone know the Par rating for the xm or hamilton bulbs or where to find this out. It doesnt look like many vendors list the Par rating of their bulbs? I thought the higher was better? Also i like the blue look of actinics, if i got a 10000k bulbs would there be any blue or would i have to supplement lighting with actinics?
     
  6. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Have you used Phoenix 14K. I have them now and considering trying the XM 15K. Do you know the difference?
     
  7. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    XM 10k's driven by electronic ballasts will easily put out the most PAR for 250 w halides.

    I have not been a fan of hammy bulbs.
     
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  9. slocal

    slocal Doot!

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    Sorry, I've only used XM bulbs. Wish I could help
     
  10. Dingo

    Dingo Giant Squid

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    what ballast do you run?
     
  11. Night-Rida

    Night-Rida Finback Whale

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    my LFS has a xm 20k and I like it. makes stuff really glow..
     
  12. horkn

    horkn Giant Squid

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    fwiw, the XM 10,000k with an e ballast will make over 500 PAR.

    XM 15ks are nice colored, but not anywhere near as much PAr as the 10k. The phoenix 14k isn't a great bulb as it has a lot of blue, but misses out on all the other spectrums pretty badly.

    I would have to look up in the chart, but I have a feeling the xm14k is much less PAR than the xm15k.