XM burned out early?

[Ram_Puppy]

Hey all, I just had an XM 10K burn out at 8 months of age... little annoying. Has anyone experienced this before?

I just ordered a Hamilton 14K to replace it.

[alexwolf]

I had one go out within 90 days. I had to go to the president of XM to get a replacement. I also had Coralvue go out after 3 days.

[Ram_Puppy]

it should be here today... crossing fingers...

[::pete::]

Let us know how you like that Hamilton 14k, I've been curious about them myself.I have been running the Hamilton 14K for @5 months. It a nice balance and I get some decent growth also.

[JimD]

Hey Pete, can you post some pics of the 14k in action???

[::pete::]

After the lights come on I will post a couple ... yea.

[captexas]

XMs have been known to have problems, whether it be short life spans or excessive color/spectrum shifting. Part of it is their low cost (means cheaper materials) and I think part of that is just a matter of dealing with light bulbs. Happens with regular bulbs around the house, of course they don't cost $60 either.

Pete - some pics would be cool. Need to have a meeting at your place! lol, I am running 400watt 10K XMs. I've gotten much better growth than the 20k XMs, but they are very bright.

[::pete::]

I have 10K's also new in the box. I thought they were too bright also and the 14K was in the middle from the 250W XM20K and 10K.

I would be willing to host as everything has settled in nicely, but I would like to have the 180 up with the fish room. :D

[JimD]

Pete, are the 10k's youre refering to xm's?

[::pete::]

Yes they are.

[JimD]

Interested in selling them? How old are they? Pm me....

[::pete::]

NO !!! Im keeping them for the grow out tanks as I dont care so much about the appearance, but the growth ... sorry.

[JimD]

EEKS! lol, I get the drift!

[::pete::]

:-D

Here are the pics:

This is the 14K alone

http://www.maast.org/albums/prafferty/14k.jpg

This is a mix with VHO Actinics

http://www.maast.org/albums/prafferty/mix.jpg

[alexwolf]

Did you get the regal to pose for both shots? :D

[Andrew]

Pete,
nice job on the aquascaping, lots of swimming room, and space for coral growth too. I'm debating taking some rock out of my tank as it's getting too full.

[::pete::]

Thanks ... I had more rock in there, but like it better this way. The fish definitely are more visible and more active.

[monica]

I just got my 10K 400 watt XM's put them on last night when lights went out, got up the smorning and both were on about an hour went by and one burned out. Now I am trying to see if I can get a new buld since it didnt last an hour.

Most of everything you hear about XM is that they are great, but not when they dont make an hour burn in and poof there gone.

[captexas]

Could be your ballasts. Some light bulbs are only designed and tested using certain ballasts. I think the XMs run best on regular cap/coil M59 ballasts.

[monica]

I dont know what type ballast it is , I know its a duel ballast, I got it from Reefer on the 8th of this month. Has been working fine and then I went to 10K instead of 20K, one bulb works but the other one burned out. The 20k's Reefer gave to me when I got the ballast from him.