XM 15K Bulbs

[VeeDub]

Did anybody ever order any of the XM 15K bulbs?
What do you think of them?
I just can't seem to get the amount of supplemental lighting into the tank that I desire when using XM 10K bulbs due to the IC 430 ballast- needed a 660.

I just ordered some 15K 400's for the 210 and will post pics of the result late this weekend. Everything will be getting transferred from the 75 this weekend. :D

Just wanted to know if anyone is using the 15K yet.

Chris

[JimD]

Chris, do a search over at RC, theres a few threads that have some info that might help, I believe the general concensus is that theyre pretty sweet... What are you running now?

[captexas]

I don't have them, but look forward to seeing pics of yours. My 10k's on the 75g are at then end of their life and I'm debating on whether to just replace them with the same bulbs or try the 15k's.

As far as supplementing the 10k XMs, it's hard as they are just so bright. I have two 400watters over my tank with 220watts of VHO and you can just barely see a difference with the VHOs turned on.

[VeeDub]

JimD- using XM 10K 400 right now.

Captexas- I agree about the inability to supplement enough. I couldn't go with enough actinic vho on a IC 430 to get enough supplementation due to the extreme par rating on the 10K.

I really hope that these 15K bulbs even out the color in the 210.
We will find out this weekend.

Chris

[VeeDub]

Just a quick pic.
Got the bulbs in today. This pic is with 10 minutes of burn in.
Also, we took the canopy off to finish the inside so the lights don't integrate well into the tank.
We already tested and determined with the additional 5-6" elevation of the lights in the new canopy, we should get pretty good light in the center of the tank.
I didn't route any cords for the lights so excuse the cord in the pic.

First impression: I like the color of the 15K's alot. I don't think there is a huge PAR loss either. I have no way to test par but I believe that there is just as much light from these as the 250 10K Ushio that was on the tank when I got home.

I like it!

I will post another pic once the canopy is back on the tank and the bulbs have burned in a few days.

[Reef69]

I have 14K Coralvue..but i like those 15K XM..they look nice!!!

[VeeDub]

These actually look significantly brighter in person than in this pic.

[Brett Wilson]

Those are awesome looking.

BTW, that's the 210 isn't it! NEATO!
How long have you had the rock and stuff in there???

[VeeDub]

Brett- yes, that's the 210. :D

Had most of the rock in there for a week and added some more on Monday.
Used about 60-70 gallons of water change water from other locals and had a mini cycle. Everything is zero now.
Tomorrow and Sunday will be transfer day. The 75 officially gets emptied this weekend.

I really like these lights. They have the coloration that I have been shooting for from the very beginning.
I will probably hang a couple VHO's in the canopy just for the dusk/dawn effect but definitely don't need any for supplementing.

Now I just have to overcome the chiller controller issue.

[VeeDub]

I'm glad I didn't wait for the par results- I am pleased with the amount of light these put out and don't feel that there is a drastic loss in intensity.

[Dozer]

I just saw these and can attest they look really cool. No actinics needed.

The whole tank looks great! I couldn't get over the custom acrylic sump under there, that thing is sweet! But I'm a geek like that 8) ...

[VeeDub]

So Mike... Would you agree that the lights look brighter in person than in the picture?

Thanks for the comps. Did you get that tank unloaded?

[Dozer]

yeah they're definitely brighter in person. To get a better idea look at the sandbed in the picture. You can tell how bright the light is reflecting off the sand.

We decided to leave it in the Durango for tonight, we'll bring it in tomorrow. Kind of lazy I know...

[VeeDub]

If you need help, give me a call.

[VeeDub]

How long have you had the rock and stuff in there???

BTW Brett, if you are thinking that the rock in the 210 pic is out of the 75, it's not. The 75 is still untouched. This was rock from Polkster and TimM. so all the rock, corals, and fish in the 75 still needs to go into the 210.

Also, thanks again for the pics on the 75. They made it to the gallery just before teardown.

[Brett Wilson]

anytime man.

Sorry they weren't better, the URI actinics were throwing my camera off a bit.

[VeeDub]

We don't have to worry about that anymore. 8)

[Dozer]

If you need help, give me a call.

Same to you- with the move. Have fun :D