Who has the cheapest 400w 15k XM bulbs?

[RichMacys]

Who has the cheapest 400w 15k XM bulbs?

Thanks

Rich

 

[Len]

Rich, all the prices I've seen are around $69.00.

 

[RichMacys]

Thats the best price I have seen yet also.

Rich

 

[GSchiemer]

Perhaps more important than price, I bought two of these bulbs from HelloLights and I really dislike them. They're dull-blue in color and emit relatively little PAR, considering the 400 watt rating. I'd look for a different bulb, regardless of price.

 

[RichMacys]

I have used a 250w 20k on an icecap for the last year on my 15 nano and I do like the color but I was thinking about going a little more white. I am going to be using a double M59 setup for my 120 and I grow mostly SPS and clams. I got a good deal on the double. $82 shipped in aluminum enclosures. Only need the cords and sockets.

Rich

 

[GSchiemer]

I have used a 250w 20k on an icecap for the last year on my 15 nano and I do like the color but I was thinking about going a little more white. I am going to be using a double M59 setup for my 120 and I grow mostly SPS and clams. I got a good deal on the double. $82 shipped in aluminum enclosures. Only need the cords and sockets.

Rich

And what does this have to do with the XM 400W 15K bulb in question?

 

[RichMacys]

What does your opinion on the way they look have to do with the price?

 

[GSchiemer]

What does your opinion on the way they look have to do with the price?

I'm trying to save you from making the same mistake that I made. I now have two new XM 400W 15K bulbs sitting in a box collecting dust, which I purchased from Hellolights.com, BTW. I'll be happy to sell them to you for $50 each.

 

[RichMacys]

I just wasnt sure what you meant by that? I am kind of looking for both a price and opinion on the XM 15Ks. What are you running now? The only other bulbs Ive ever used are the 250W 20k XM and the 175w and 400w Iwasaki 6500k. Both are good at what they do but are on far ends of the spectrum from each other. Are the 15K bulbs more white than the 20K by far or just a little? Any help would be great.

Rich

 

[Anonymous]

I just got 15K 400W XM's for my new 300G reef. I do like the way they look, but this is my first go with 400W bulbs, so I have no reference. I just know that I like the way they look and I want to forgo supplementing with actinics if I can. I'll see what kind of growth and color I'll get from my corals once I stock it. If I need more PAR, then I'll replace them with some other lamp later.

I paid $68.00 at Champion, IIRC.

Louey

 

[Len]

Rich, I'd consider the XM 10,000K. It's not nearly as blue but it outputs an incredible amount of light.

 

[GSchiemer]

I just wasn't sure what you meant by that? I am kind of looking for both a price and opinion on the XM 15Ks. What are you running now? The only other bulbs Ive ever used are the 250W 20k XM and the 175w and 400w Iwasaki 6500k. Both are good at what they do but are on far ends of the spectrum from each other. Are the 15K bulbs more white than the 20K by far or just a little? Any help would be great.

Rich

Presently I'm running the XM 400W 10K bulbs, which I think are great. I was looking for the same performance with a hint of more blue; therefore I thought I'd give the new XM 15K bulbs a try. I find them to be too dull and too blue for my taste and, most importantly, the corals under this bulb have begun to show signs of inadequate lighting after just a few weeks. I even upgraded the ballast to an "HQI" version in the hope that it would boost the output and add a bit more "white," but it didn't help at all. I'm very disappointed in this bulb.

I haven't used or experienced the XM 20K version of the 400W MH bulb, so I don't have an opinion of it. I recently began testing a 400W 20K MH bulb being sold by Catalina Aquarium. It's only been a week, but I must say that I'm impressed by the color and apparent brightness. Reminds me of the Ushio 10K 400W bulb but it's a little bluer and brighter.

Hope this helps.

Greg

 

[sslarison]

I would go with Hellolights (check the sponsor page. They will price amtch and they have great customer service.