I have decided [Archive]

Texreefer

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 09:32 AM

I'm going with a dual pfo pulse start ballast with two 400w 20,000k xm bulbs. over my 30x30x30 comments welcome

alexwolf

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 09:38 AM

good for you! Took me a week to decide on lights, still a bit uncertain, especially after seeing yours! I am running 3x400w 20k XM's over a 6 ft 135

Texreefer

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 10:04 AM

how do you like them..... what ballast are you using to run them

alexwolf

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 10:21 AM

theyre not running yet, but i bought the cool touch ballsts. www.cooltouchlighting.com they seemed to be very reasonable, and the service I got from Kim was fantastic!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3212&item=2332507798

They also will work with you on reflectors. I needed 2 36" instead of 1 72"

brewercm

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 10:46 AM

I've talked to them before and they will work with you on lots of items like whether you want a probe start or pulse start ballast. I believe the pulse start would cost $25 more was what they had said.

Alex, have you run anything on the ballast yet and if so how do you like it?

TexasState

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 10:48 AM

I would still add an Icecap on the side to run after hours actinic, or Florescent supplement bulbs to the XM. What are you doing to control the heat?

alexwolf

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 10:51 AM

$15 per ballast to go to pulse start. I have nor run anything yet, i am not moving the tank until tomorrow! I still nered help with plumbing!!!!!

Jimnorris

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 12:07 PM

400 WATT XMs are IMO the way to go! My six (6) are about seven months old now so I am watching to see if they are nearing their end of time!
Jim

Texreefer

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 12:36 PM

JIm what ballast are you using to run yours

Jimnorris

Fri, 5th Sep 2003, 02:18 PM

I am using the plain old stanard PFO ballasts (m59s???).
Joshua,
Actually JimD has been using a 400 watt XM for almost as long and has notice a change. So based on this we are now both really looking into the life span of these bulbs. Brian at Hellolights has no feedback yet on bulb life. I quest Jim and I are one of the first to use these bulbs. Jim is really more detailed at observing things than I, which is good because he has helped me many a times!!!! My thoughts, if the bulbs are really starting to go which is about 7 months, for me that is OK because I like the way may tank is with them and vs a radium setup the XMs IMO win hands down on preformance and cost.
Jim