The XM 250W double-ended metal halide bulb offers good coloration and intensity. The color is between an 10,000K bulb and a 20,000K bulb: white with a distinct blue tint. This bulb will work with standard magnetic ballast, magnetic pulse-start ballast, magnetic HQI ballast or electronic IceCap ballasts. An excellent choice for nano-reefs and other reef tanks 22"–30" deep.
- 15,000K Color Temperature
- Excellent with or without actinic supplementation
- Operate on a HQI metal halide ballast or electronic ballast
Common questions/problems concerning metal halide lamps:
- Metal halide lamps of the same kind are different colors?
Metal halide lamps operate by passing an electric arc through an arc tube that excites particles in the arc tube. When the metal particles reach an excited state they emit energy in the form of visible light. It takes 100 hours of operation before the metal particles stabilize and become a consistent color. All metal halides require 100 hours of operation before color and light output stabilize. All metal halides inherently have a slight color variation between individual lamps.
- The metal halide lamp fires and then either burns dull or the arc extinguishes?
Usually the ballast and lamp are not receiving enough power. Metal halides pull a high current. Usually the problem is either there is too great a load on the circuit or the extension cords are of a small wire size and can`t handle the power needed by the ballast. Use only heavy duty extension cords and try running a ballast
off a circuit from another part of the house.
- Do I need a cover shield between the lamp and the aquarium?
Metal halide lamps produce a large amount of UV and also have a potential of exploding. The single ended metal halide lamps have an outer jacket which eliminates most of the UV. However, they have an inherent risk of exploding and UL requires metal halide lamps to be enclosed. On double ended lamps there is no UV shield. Double ended lamps must have a glass shield or major eye injuries including blindness may occur.
- Can I operate a ballast and lamp together which are designed for different wattages?
Each wattage lamp and ballast are designed together for optimal performance and safety. If you over drive the lamp it may explode and shorten the life of the ballast and lamps. If you under drive the lamp it will also shorten the life of both components and also may explode. Do not mix different type wattages of lamps and ballasts.
NOTE: The bulb should be handled carefully during installation and replacement.
Main Features
Specifications
What's in the Box
Manufacturer Info
XM Lighting
XM Lighting is the leading manufacturer of high quality metal halide lamps for the aquarium industry. XM Lighting began in 2003 and took the hobby by storm with high PAR levels, high quality lamps, and world class customer service. XM Lighting quickly became the hottest selling lamp in the industry, and they`ve continued the trend by developing new lamp wattages and color temperatures to meet the ever changing demands of the aquarium hobby.
Warranty
|
Articles
Expert Reviews
Blogs
|
250 Watt 15000K Metal Halide Bulb - XM, Double-Ended
Reviews
Nice Color Temperature
by
ALLEN FRIEDMAN
Great
Posted: 4/18/2013 from SCOTTSDALE, AZ UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
I have only been running the bulbs for about a week. I switched from Ushio 20K's. Only problem is that the bulb appears to be significantly more intense than the Ushio (may just be color temperature) and as a result, I have had to shorten my light period since some corals were showing burnt tips. Time will tell.
Bulb is very well made and has far more robust insulators than the Ushios. Fit perfectly into my Hamliton Belize fixture.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
Excellent Bulb for 8 Months
by
Brandon
Excellent!
Posted: 10/3/2012 from OWINGS MILLS, MD
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
I have been using this XM bulb for 3 years now (changed the bulb every 8 months during mentioned 3 years), and am very satisfied with the stability of the light and it's reliable firing when used with reef timers. For a 15K bulb, they are a bit more blue than one would expect but I enjoy that look. These bulbs especially make fluorescent coral pigments pop when used with actinic T5's, and some Blue LED strip lights. The tank I'm using this bulb in conjunction with is 3 feet deep and I have no issue with penetration for clams and bottom dwelling corals. For their price you shan't find a better & more reliable bulb (in my opinion).
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
72 gal bowfront reef
by
COLT LUDWIG
Excellent!
Posted: 8/12/2012 from Sioux City, IA UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
These lights look fantastic. The color gives my tank a perfect blue hue and the corals seem to love it too. Defiantly would recommend these lights
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
XM 15000k best with t5's
by
RYAN NOVAK
Excellent!
Posted: 10/6/2011 from Nanticoke, PA UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
XM 15000k 250 watt metal halide bulbs have the best color to really enhance the color of sps, lps, and soft corals. The exact look of the bulbs are a white color with a hint of blue, they go excellent with actinic blue t5 bulbs, this really makes the corals explode with color. The XM's also go great with 10000k t5 bulbs this changes the spectrum to less of a blue tint but really brightens up the tank with a mix of blue and white from the XM's and a hint of natural day light with the 10000k t5's. Both combinations go excellent with this type of metal halide bulb, it is what the hobbyist prefers.
0 of 1 People found this review helpful, did you?
Yes
No
Excellent
by
Konolua
Excellent!
Posted: 5/11/2011 from THOUSAND OAKS, CA UNITED STATE
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
Consistent color and is a perfect mix of 12k's and 20k's. I am very pleased.
0 of 1 People found this review helpful, did you?
Yes
No
XM 15000K Metal Hilade Bulb
by
TONY FUNKHOUSER
Great
Posted: 5/5/2011 from HARPERS FERRY, WV UNITED STATE
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
So far this has been an excellent purchase. I really like the new colors the bluish tint brings out in my Coraline and Corals.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
250wt xm 15k
by
DON DEFEO
Excellent!
Posted: 3/15/2011 from BRIGANTINE, NJ UNITED STATES
5.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
This is an excellent bulb the bluish white light is awsome my corals and fish are vibrant in color
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
Nice Bright Wh/Blue
by
WILLIAM PERNETT
Great
Posted: 11/26/2010 from TUCSON, AZ UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Bulbs seem to be very bright and just the right color spectrum for my tank. I like the blue light and this bulb definitly hits that spectrum. So far no problems.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
Nice Bulb
by
JASON
Great
Posted: 7/10/2010 from SYKESVILLE, MD UNITED STATES
4.0
5
Experience Level:
Intermediate
Comments:
Like others i bought these to replace my 14k bulbs that i wasn't really happy with. I like these much better, although I think my Candy Cane coral preferred the 14k bulbs. My only issue is that one of the 3 bulbs i purchased came out of the box with some damage to the connector at one end. It fired ok initially, so i decided to keep it.3 months later, i need a new bulb to replace the on with a bad end. Having said that, this will be the bulb I purchase in the future.
Did you find this review helpful?
Yes
No
XM 1500
by
JASON PANEK
Average
Posted: 1/18/2010 from OMAHA, NE UNITED STATES
3.0
5
Experience Level:
Expert
Comments:
These are REALLY blue compared to my other 15k bulbs. Took a chance on a really expensive bulb, and not sure if I like them yet. We'll see how my corals respond.
0 of 1 People found this review helpful, did you?
Yes
No