[MtnDewMan]

Time for a tank update. The 10000k bulbs are back on












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MDM

[zhenya]

Nice Chuck.

FWIW, I like how your tank looks under the 10K bulbs,always did

It is always looks a tad too blue with the 20K to my eye and that is one reason why I got rid of the XM's 20K bulbs. Now that Kevin mentioned those CV-15K bulbs, I'm waiting to recieve them to try them. Will report when I switch and try them.

[Reefland]

Hey Chuck!

Why did you decide to go back to the 10k's?

Scott Z.

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks Gene,

Looking forward to hearing about your thoughts on that bulb.

Scott ... I basically thought the Radiums were too blue and was not providing enough energy into the tank. I put the 10000k bulbs back on but this time with a standard pulse start ballast in lieu of the HQI ballast. Not as much energy as before but more than the Radiums

[Poseidon]

Very Cool. I like the 10K better then the 20K too. Come Feb I'll be ordering the CV bulbs, either 12K or 15K haven't decided yet.

[Northman_with_reef]

nice!

I like the 10K bulbs more too.....
They make your tank look alot more natural.

BTW, What is that blue plastic thing on your right inlet?

Thomas

[almostdiva]

Neat pics, Chuck!

FWIW, I like the 10K look more than the radiums as well

Rebecca

[SueT]

Nice Chuck, very nice pics. I'm with the rest, I like the 10k's better than the 20k's. Being a recent switchee to the 10k XM group I really do like the look of 10k lighting. Who knew.....

[MtnDewMan]

Thanks everyone ... been reading a lot about people trying out those XM bulbs ... could be worth a try in the future. Are the 250 XM bulbs as good as the 400W ones? Sometimes they differ in coloration or lose some kick in PAR.

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by MtnDewMan

Thanks Gene,

Looking forward to hearing about your thoughts on that bulb.

Chuck,

I just swapped the CV10K's for the 15K last night and took some pics this morning.My initial thought is that the tank looks much nicer and has a slight blue overcast but nowhere near the blue I was getting from XM 20K bulbs,even on the HQI ballst and after burning in for 6 weeks. So far I'm impressed.I'll attach couple of pics so you can see.I had installed a pair of aquasuns VHO instead of the actinics but I really hate the aquasuns,everything has some purple overcast to it.I'll look for 50/50 if I can find them locally to see how that would look and post some pics later.
Now bare in mind that the bulbs been on for less then a day and taking full pics of my tank is very hard becouse I do not have the distance to step back so it might not be a true color rendition as well,plus my skills need to improve as well
Here it goes and I hope you like them

[zhenya]

And here are some corals under those 15K bulbs,I think the colors are really much more true then under 20K's.JMO!
I could really use some help with the ID for the coral in last pic.

[Poseidon]

WOW I like those BULBS!!!

I was contimplating the 12 or 15K bulbs from Coral Vue. Did you notice a significant loss in overall brightness?

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Poseidon

WOW I like those BULBS!!!

I was contimplating the 12 or 15K bulbs from Coral Vue. Did you notice a significant loss in overall brightness?

Mike,

I don't think it looks any less bright then when I had the Ushio's on,except that it had a tad yellow cast to it.It is still very bright to my eye and has very eye pleasing light hint of blue, and I mean it is very light blue.
Of course, each person sees it differently as you know.I'm just a bit concern that the PAR values are much less then the Ushio's were in the test run by Joe Burger(JB_NY),here the link to this thread. I'm thinking that I can't take a picture that has correct color with my hood being somewhat open becouse it's elevated a bit more. I'll rig up something to block the light and then try to take some more pics and post them tonight.
Here's what I mean

[reewik]

I like that your aquascaping leaves room for growth and looks natural. I really like the 2 mounds with the cave on the right. Very nice on the eyes. Those corals are looking great. How long has this tank been running?

What do you think of mine?

www.geocities.com/ericwikander/reef

[Minh Nguyen]

Gene,
You really need a larger tank.
Minh

[MtnDewMan]

Gene ...

Which pics are the 20's and which are the 15's? I think the second pics are the 15's right? I like the look. Definately looks bluer than a 10k bulb ... How are you liking the look. I know it is hard to capture the true look of a bluer bulb so it could just look bluer in the picture than what it really is.

Overall though it looks real nice. The tank is looking real good too !!!

Minh ... we ALL need bigger tanks

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Gene,
You really need a larger tank.
Minh

You telling me? One day I will have it,I promisse.

Originally Posted by MtnDewMan

Which pics are the 20's and which are the 15's?

Chuck,

There is no pic with the 20K bulbs in those pics,only the 15K.You are so right,the pic actually looks a lot bluer then it really is.In person the tank looks crisp white with a tiny hint of blue.I really like the look and I think that after 100 hours or so of burning in this bulbs will be even better.
If you want to see the 20k XM bulbs...here it is

[Minh Nguyen]

Gene,
I see that you got a Clown tang. How long have you have him, and how is he doing? I like one but always chicken out due to the fact that what I read told me that he is very aggressive and he grow too big.
Minh

[zhenya]

Originally Posted by Minh Nguyen

Gene,
I see that you got a Clown tang. How long have you have him, and how is he doing? I like one but always chicken out due to the fact that what I read told me that he is very aggressive and he grow too big.
Minh

Minh,
I got him for close to two years now and when I got him he was literally a baby,maybe an inch or inch and a half long.He's about 3" long now and quite timid,the only fish he gives trouble to is the green chromis.He's also a perpetual grazer and I make sure to provide some Nori under my magnet cleaner every day. He is rather plump and I don't think he has any problems with tank mates,although I agree with you that they grow quite large and I plan to hopefully have a much larger tank by then.If not, I'll have to return him to the store or sell him to someone with a large tank as they grow well over 15" long In your tank, if you'd get a juvenile,you wouldn't have to think about his size for at least 5-6 years.

Here he is going after the Nori.

[MtnDewMan]

Clown Tangs are one of my favorites ... awesome fish. Wish I could have one.