Breaking news flash, www.hellolights.com just got off the phone with me, giving me advance notice that they are finally releasing thier 15K XM bulbs in 400 and 250 watt SE and DE versions. On top of that they are on sale for about 20-25% off to boot too.

If your not familar with the XM series bulbs I would highly recommend that you at least check them out. Not only are they very reasonably priced for halides but they are one of only 2 brands of bulbs I would recommend. No this aint a sales pitch and I aint getting kick backs, the XM series bulbs are just one of the best bulbs on the market bar none!

If this bulb is anything like the 10 and 20K XM's, they should give excellent PAR levels. While I havent used this bulb yet I suspect that it will give a nice whitish-Blue tint to the lights and give up very little in intensity and probably be a lot closer to a 12K AB German Bulb than a true 15K.

Hopefully mine get here soon!!!!

Congrats sounds very cool I just finished my sump by getting the caulerpa just have to wait till my dad gets back from japan so i can use the digital camera. But very cool.

exactly how wmuch are the bulbs probaly cheaper than over here in the states I presume. huh.

I believe the price they quoted was $69 for the 250 SE and $76 for the 400 SE. The DE's were about 10-15 more each.Rumor control has it this bulb is actuially a lot closer to 12-13K with much more PAR thats almost comparable to the Ushio 10k

I havent yet gotten one and I dont have all of the sophisticated lab equipment but I think this bulb is going to give very little up to the XM 10K in growth rates and intensity while giving, much more blue and coral color without having to resort to a 20K and deal with the downsides involved in that set up. I have seen the XM 20K stats and they are actually much more comparable to the 14K bulbs on the market. I have a feeling that this will carry over inot the new bulb as well trend wise

thats cool wich I had access to them.

What the bulbs?

Ya the bulbs and what kinda of ballast are you going to use the blue waves or ice cap.