xm 20K

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DonW

R.I.P.
Joined
Dec 15, 2003
Messages
8,751
Location
Tacoma, WA
Got my first 20k bulbs today. All I've ever used is good old Ushio 10.
Almost painful, blue. Are these things going to mellow out a little.

Don
 
I love the color that Tom's xm 20k bubs have, I would think they should burn in a little less blue. might take a few weeks..

Matt
 
They do burn in a little, and it takes a little while to get used to them. I can't stand looking at tanks that are 10k anymore.
 
They do burn in a little, and it takes a little while to get used to them. I can't stand looking at tanks that are 10k anymore.


Guess I should give them some time. I'm only running 2 bulbs so its not as bright as the 3 10k's. With the loss of par do you think its ok to run just two bulbs?

Don
 
Yeah...My 20K XM's were quite blue when I had my 75gal, but as they burned in, it mellowed out some. It still remained quite blue but with having an acrylic blue background, I liked it alot:)
 
I started out with 10k then upgraded to a used system that had 20ks and when they got old i switched back to 10k (due to advice) and to be honest i really like the look of 20ks it really gives the water a crystal clear peacful setting. I think my next bulbs will be 20k.
 
I think my XM 10K's are too white as well and am planning on trying the 20K's. Wish the PAR numbers were a little higher though. I may swap ballasts too.
 
Sometimes you just have to deal with what you like, that is why we're in this hobby in the first place right?
I would think your corals might not grow as fast but they still should do fine IMO I don't know if that is true or not. All I can think of is the bright light that sun room tank had & when the sun was shining it looked as if he had no light at all, dam sun is bright, now after several feet of water maybe that isn't the same.
 
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