XM bulbs seem to give good growth ...

[Derek B]

I have had my 250 watt XM's running for about 1 to 2 months and I am pleased to report that I have noticed some good growth. Compared to the Iwasakis I was running before, the growth rates are a little slower, but the coloration is much better. So far, I am very pleased with the XM's.

My only ?? is how long they will last. I know the Radiums have gotten bad reviews for their lack of longevity. I can't afford to be replacing them every 6 months, so if they do die quickly, I will revert back to the Iwasakis with more actinic supplimentation.

Jim, how is the experiment coming. Any early observations?

[Buster]

Derek B,

I am currently running a 400w xm bulb 20k. I love it. Color is awesome growth is awesome. Now as far as the life, it all depends on how many hours you burn your bulbs for not necessary how long you have them, but a good bulb like this should last at least a year. That is of course if you are not burning it 24/7. You are right about the radiums bulbs though, great color awesome look, but their life just ain't all that great. They really are meant to be run on 220v, not 110v. So that might have a lot to do with why they don't do all that great here. I would like to stay posted on what else you might find.

Thank you,
Nick

[Derek B]

Nick,

How long have you been running XM's?

[RedDragon]

I plan to get an XM bulb anybody want to do another group order? :skeezy:

[Derek B]

RedDragon,

I would recommend just ordering them yourself. What's the point of hassling with a group order to save literally a couple bucks? IME, the group orders take a while to materialize, and sometimes don't, then it takes 2 weeks just to meet up with whoever made the order so you can get your stuff. Livestock orders are different since the shipping costs are so much higher.

Sorry I got off the subject. You will enjoy the XM's.

[RedDragon]

ya your right, I will order one in a week or less

[Buster]

Derek,

I have been running them for less then a month, but have notice everything is starting to color back up. I was running a hamiliton 10k 400w before that and everything that I had turned brown, then I start reading about the color on the bulbs and decided after seeing Jim Norris's tank that I was going to get a xm 20k and I must say WOW. I was really impressed. I think we will easily get a year out of these bulbs, but I have heard what you are talking about the radiums not lasting long. It probably has a lot to do with the voltage we here run them at. I think the xm bulb looks really close to a radium though. Plus it is cheaper and hey can't beat that. Everything coloring up for you nicely Derek?

Nick

[Derek B]

Ya, I have noticed more vibrant colorations. I am very pleased.

[Buster]

Yeah can't wait to buy my second one. Hehe.

[Jimnorris]

My main tank the six XM bulbs are going on their fourth month. My coral's color and growth is the best I have ever seen! I have used iwasaki 6500ks, ushios 10,000 and 20,000ks. Interesting on our trip to Seaworld we found out that they use 400 watt radium 20,000ks. They are going to try the XMs! XMs are design to run on a stanard 59 ballast.
Jim

[Derek B]

Awesome Jim! Good to hear that you are having good results too! I have been very pleased so far. That is pretty cool that Sea World is going to try the XM's.

[Jimnorris]

I am VERY pleased with the XM bulbs! Alitlle behind the screen information about the XMs. There were designed to be a bulb for aquarium use (not parking lots). They were designed to have the color of the radium bulbs but have more PAR for growth. Also they are designed to be used on a normal ballast! And maybe best of all alittle less $$$$!
Jim

[Derek B]

"They were designed to have the color of the radium bulbs but have more PAR for growth. Also they are designed to be used on a normal ballast! And maybe best of all alittle less $$$$! "

That is exactly what I have been hearing and they are living up to expectations, especially the $$ savings! From the info I have gathered, it seems that the short life of the Radiums is due to the ballast we use and not necessarily the bulb. Knowing that, I feel better about the life expectancy of the XM's. Ever since changing to the XM's, my Pink Pocilliopora has had a growth spurt!!! It is starting to become a small colony.

[Buster]

Derek,

It is good to hear that you are having such great luck with the bulbs, for it is my go to bulb. hehe. You just can't beat them for the price, and the color. My corals have seemed to respond to the xm bulbs quite well. I saw a friend a couple of weeks running three radium bulbs and his tank looked awesome, but he also got the ballast to match them, which is a lot more money. I am going to have a total of two 400w 20k xm bulbs all by there self on a 58. Hehe.

Nick

[RedDragon]

Man this club is like the XM bulb club I bet we have more members than any other club dose, shoot am gettting to think if you dont have an XM bubl your not cool,lol, ya am getting one this weekend, so I can be cool like everyone else,lol :lol:

[TexasState]

What about 250Watts Single socket XM? Are they good too or not?

[MikeP]

I am looking to get 2 for my new tank - unfortunately they are sold out of the HQI till end of month.

[witecap4u]

IIRC, i think premium aquatics has them too....

I know I saw them on another site for the same price as hellolights...

[TexasState]

I guess Steve is our Ginny Pig if he follow through w/ his plan.

[RedDragon]

can't wait to try out the new XM bulb I am getting a new cam and will take some pics so you all can see!!

[Buster]

Does anybody know of a good place in San Antonio that has metal halide brackets to mount mogul sockets in a hood? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[RedDragon]

I guess Steve is our Ginny Pig if he follow through w/ his plan.

it will be a while for steve to try what he wanted, he's in Mexico :lol:

[JimD]

Champion lighting now carries the XM bulb, them and Hellolights are the only places to get these bulbs. The 250w SE bulb got good reviews on a thread at RC.

[witecap4u]

Champion lighting now carries the XM bulb, them and Hellolights are the only places to get these bulbs. The 250w SE bulb got good reviews on a thread at RC.


Yeah, thats who I was thinking of...my bad..cs

[RedDragon]

I got my new XM bulb a today and all I can say is "WOW" I love the color and the way it brings out the color in my corals, this is a keeper, I have found the gold, :lol: well now I cant wait to get my other 400w MH setup to get a new XM bulb :-D

[RedDragon]

here what my tank looks like with the XM bulb, :twisted: :-D