Hellolights 400watt XM bulb

[captexas]

I am currently trying to decide what lighting I am going to put on my 75gallon tank. I currently have 1 400watt Iwasaki and an assortment of 4 95watt VHO's on my 58 and I am getting good growth of my hard corals although not the best coloring. I am thinking of putting 2 400watt metal halides on it with 2 95watt VHO lamps on the 75. I liked the nice clear light from Jim Norris's Hellolights XM bulbs and I know Jim said they have really brought out the color in his corals. I'm curious as to how well they are growing and what kind of bulbs people are using to supplement the metal halides with.

I think a few others were trying these bulbs. Anyone have any input?

Thanks, Chris.

[Jimnorris]

Chris,
I have supplement my tank (6) 400 watt 20,000XM Mh bulbs with two 95 watt VHO URI aquasuns in the very front---AWESOME! I have notice excellent growth happening on my sps corals. The colors are excellent. I switched from 20,000 Ushios and 6,500k sakis. In the garage I am running 2 400 watt 6,500k sakis and 2 400 watt 20,000k Ushios side by side and I am getting better growth from the XM bulbs!!!!! Currently JimD on his 65 gallon tank has switched from a 250 watt saki and several pcs and vhos to one 400 watt 20,000k XM bulb with 2 95 watt vho URI aquasuns. I think he will have some interesting input! I am VERY happy with this set up!
Jim

[witecap4u]

I've been eyeing these bulbs also, maybe we could get a group buy going. Im thinking about going with 250's though. All sizes seem to be sold out, will they honor the price when they get the next shipment in?

Anyone one know if there are firing issues on any certain ballast's.

Also, anyone have an extra used 400W 10K-20K bulb laying around they dont need.?

cs

[JimD]

After running a 250W Iwasaki with tons of supplimentary lighting to offset the yellow/green tint of it, I finally got the color to look pretty good, a nice powerfull white, So initially I was hesitant to try the XM bulb (400W) for fear I would be losing the the output of the Saki. Its been almost two weeks since I installed it and two 95W VHO Aquasuns, its taken me a little time to get used to the change in color, but Im noticing that the bulb is begining to shift to a nice crisp white with just a tinge of blue. This bulb, in my opinion, blows away any other 20K lamp Ive ever seen, and as far as growth goes, I have to agree with Jim, it equals or even surpasses that of my 250W Iwasaki. Since then, Ive removed all the other lighting from my hood eccept for the vho's and havnt noticed an increse in temperature. I would say that so far, Im very pleased with the results in respect to general asthetics of the tank and overall growth of especially, sps and clams... Ill try to get Jim to come by soon and take a few pics so you can see for yourselvs... really quite stunning...
later!

[Jimnorris]

witecap4u,
I have one.
Jim

[captexas]

Witecap - I just sent an email to Hellolights asking when the bulbs will be in stock again. Probably get an answer tomorrow morning. I'll post on here when I get home from work.

Josh - Are you asking if it is correct you are making stuff up in your head or that the coral colors changed? :-D Jim Norris did say at the meeting that his corals have improved in color with the new bulbs.

I think I'm going to get two of the 400watt XM bulbs for the new tank and use my existing VHO setup to help supplement them. Maybe we can do a group order once they get the bulbs back in stock if some people want to.

[Sherri]

I may need new bulbs here soon too. Let me know & I prob will want to be included in a group order... :-D

Hellolights Prices:

3 ea. 50/50 48" 110W VHO Day @ $14.95 ea.
1 ea. 48" VHO Super Act. 110W @ $20.95

I have a Hamilton setup...If I order from them

3 ea. 50/50 Actinic-Sun 48" 110W VHO @ $23.80 ea.
1 ea. Super Actinic Blue 48" 110W @ $21.80

Big difference in price...prob need to check on these prices from Hello's again. This was about a month or so ago that I looked into it.

Just let me know if a group order happens...BTW, what is XM?

Thanks

Sherri

[witecap4u]

XM is the kind/brand of bulb Jim has on his tank, if you were at his house for the meeting. They are a 20K bulb from hellolights. Recently, they have been on an introductory special for 59/65/69 for 175/250/400W at Hellolights. BTW, they are MH bulbs, I just noticed what you posted was all VHO's

cs

[Sherri]

Thanks Chris...yeah I'm VHO...if a group order happens...I'll join ya...

Appreciate it...

Sherri

[RedDragon]

count me in to I plan to get a 175w MH XM bulb, ;)

[captexas]

Alright everyone, I got a reply from Hellolights and they said they will be getting their next shipment of XM metal halide bulbs in the first week of May. I'm not sure if the prices will remain the same as the current listed prices were for their introductory special. I'll keep an eye on them and when they are available maybe we can do a group order. When that happens it will be posted in the group order section.

Also, I know Jim Norris is familiar with them and if he has a wholesale account with them perhaps we can all place a big order through him that way Jim gets the profits as a way to support the people that support MAAST.

Chris Parker

[captexas]

Everyone -

I started a group order thread for Hellolights under the group order section. Everyone interested in getting something needs to post there - nothing will be transferred from the posts on this thread. The XM metal halide bulbs are back in stock and they have lots of other great products. Please check the site out and post what you want.

hellolights.com