I originally had 2x250W bulbs, one XM 10K and one XM 15K, and wanted to see the differance in growth, and general happiness on the corals. Specifically SPS since my LPS can always get moved away from the light. The SPS was doing great all over the tank, so i figured i'd try both 15K bulbs and see how they work. I like the look better. Lots of people have asked if the XM10K's look "yellow" I have a lot of atinic light, but i would definitly say that it's not yellow, it's white, a very bright white.
So with the 2 15K bulbs in for about a week now i notice significant polyp extension in my SPS. Perhaps my tank too about the same time to get the refurgium back running and rock to seed correctly. But I can see a large differance in the polyps. I"ll try the 10K again in a couple months just to see if it was the light that changed it, but as for now i'm happy, and so are my corals.
The 15K's have half the PAR rating as the 10K's, my corals might not have been placed right for their lighting needs, but as with everything i've learned about reefkeeping, I'll take my time and see. I"ll post some pictures to show, if Santa brings me a macro lense i'll hopefully have some good ones after Christmas. I've been taking pictures from about the same placement about once a week since I've got set up, it's been great to look at to see growth and how everytyings been doing.
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