XM 15K Opinions

[TheCoralNabber]

Ok, I wanted to see what other people thought about their 15K XM bulbs. I've had mine for 2 months now, and I'm not very happy with it at all. It looks like it is dead. It isn't very bright at all. I'll post a pic of it compared to my 1 month old 10K. Just wondering if I'm the only person who think that they stink. :( I'm going to go with 10K and actinic VHOs. I was hoping that the 15Ks would be nice since I've been happy with XM for a year now (20K) I wanted to go not so blue for better growth, but the bulbs just aren't that bright at all.

[dwdenny]

according to the PAR numbers they stink big time. I was expecting them to be between the 10kk and the 20kk but they are much better then the 20kk.

[d34532]

Hmm,

I recently got mine and friends told be they were the best 15k SE and I looked up the data and the par rating is pretty good for my ballast. Where do you guys check the data for par rate? right now I like my 15k xm I have had the 10k ham also but wanted something that would give me more color in the coral. I guess i'll wait and see how things go. So far I like might but its new.

[chadfarmer]

funny the par from a 20k is more than the 15k

[Entropy]

All the numbers I have read say the XM15k stinks, but the one I have seen in person (over a 29g) was really nice colorwise and very bright. :rolleyes:

[TheCoralNabber]

Mine was bright, not as bright as my 20Ks when I'd first gotten them. Now it just looks dull, the color is good, just not very bright at all. It looked ok for the first month or so, but now the more I look at it, it seems to have lost alot of its brightness. I looked at the parr ratings as well, and it is sad that the 20k is better then the 15K. I was really looking forward to them, now the only way to go is 10K with actinics to get the best of both worlds.

[Entropy]

That is what I have and recommend. Sadly I just don't think there is a single bulb that will do both hi par numbers and perfect color. I would switch in a second if there was (and I had any money).

[chilly01willy]

My friend just got a XM 15k 250w bulb. IMO it's too white. I like the blue tints the 20ks XM put out.

[ridetheducati]

My bulbs are 3 months old; and I do love the color my corals present. However, growth is at a stand still. Next month I putting my XM 10k back in or may even get some AB 10ks.

Bottom line: Good color, lousy PAR. Based on work of others, we know this bulb lacks PAR.

[TheCoralNabber]

[i] Bottom line: Good color, lousy PAR. Based on work of others, we know this bulb lacks PAR. [/B]

I couldn't agree more, XM nees to do something about this pretty badly imo. Glad to know that I'm not the only person with the same problems/issues with these bulbs.

[danthemanj]

I have the XM 15k 400 watters and love the color. They are about 2 weeks old. I am down grading my lighting though and won't be using them anymore. Will be getting the XM 15k 250 watters instead. I am selling the bulbs/ballast, etc. if anybody is interested.

[TheCoralNabber]

After about 3 months with the 15K I about have to replace the bulb. It looks more dead them my 9 month old 20Ks that I used to have on there. Never will I buy another one of them. Just 10Ks and 20Ks.

[s3aL]

IMO the 14k Phoenix bulb is the best overall bulb when it comes to price/color/PAR. Atleast on a M80 HQI ballast.

[Medicine Man]

I have an XM 15k 250watt MH over my 30 gallon cube via icecap ballast and it looks beautiful! One thing that I noticed though is that you cannot have a fan blowing directly onto the bulb. The bulb has to reach a certain temp to obtain its true color hue. I made this mistake when I hooked it up for the first time and the color was a blah white. Turned it off and angled the fan down from the bulb and presto, beautiful perfect blue color. Just a thought.

[TheCoralNabber]

I don't have any fans in my hood right now. So that isn't a problem. The color is nice, but isn't very bright at all. It is really quite dim. The bulb is just shot. It sucks. Just bringing to the table what I'm seeing. I'd sell yours while you can, and get something different.