Lighting XM Bulbs

[nsamouroux]

I like my XM20k bulbs as well, but wanted to see what else was out there in case it would give better growth with the same color bulb What sort of ballast do you run yours on? I'm using Hamilton magnetic ballasts and they run great.

 

[estanoche]

20kxm,20k coalvue,20 refflux,20kradium,20k blueline,20k helios.
i did try them all ,i end up using 20k xm for the last 2 years and i like it,,the last 20k i like to try is 20k ushio,,,,it comming soon,,just my 2cent

I threw a 20K ushio DE on my 70W nano tank - at the same time I put a 20K XM SE in my 40 - the ushio looked way whiter, i'd guess visually 14-16K range when compared to the deep blue of the XM

just my .02

 

[Saltyfish]

well ordered from http://www.altisreef.com on 9/16 and nothing after he got my money. I sent three requests for updates and no reply.

I am not one to file disputes so I will give it another day. How sad the customer service is

What forums was he on and his name, maybe I can contact him that way, please send in PM thanks

 

[Saltyfish]

just got off the phone with XM Lighting and they told me he is no longer a authorized reseller because of the poor customer service.

Here is their authorized Resellers
http://www.xmlighting.com/retailers.aspx

I should have paid the higher price I just might have my bulbs by now!

 

[Shane and John]

Well my new XM de20k bulbs arrived for the two docs....I installed them removing my 1 yr old 20k XM's and about had a heart attack...WOW..what a difference...I wont wait as long to replace them again....And I think i shocked the heck out of my poor Corals..I have reduced my light cycle and will gradually get back to my 8 hrs a day...Big Props to XM...best bulb i have tried!!!!


Shane

 

[Saltyfish]

Lesson learned thanks for the update.

 

[nsamouroux]

I just checked XM's authorized resaler list, Hellolights has a very good price on 250w and 400w XM20k bulbs! Looks like a september only sale though, and free shipping I probably won't be ready to buy them yet since I still need another ballast or two.

 

[Saltyfish]

Yeah they owe me some money too so I will be getting the bulbs from them. I filed a dispute with Paypal and I will wait until tomorrow to make it a claim and get my money back.

 

[Saltyfish]

Well just thought I would update on my progress or lack there of.

I bought my bulbs from http://www.altisreef.com
The day before I bought them I sent an email and got a quick reply so I felt comfortable ordering them.

They told me they would drop ship from XM Lighting within 3 days. After 3 days I asked for tracking number. I did this once a day for 3 days, so I am not 6 days into this. All emails went unanswered and I was getting a little worried. I called XM Lighting and they had no order for me or from http://www.altisreef.com to me.

I sent http://www.altisreef.com an email one more time and told them if I did not hear back from them within 24 hours I would have to file a dispute with Paypal. No Word, dispute filed. in the dispute I stated if I do not hear from them within 24 hours again I will make it a claim. Which of course 24 hours came and went and I made it a claim. I have gotten one email from someone that I do not believe is http://www.altisreef.com but it was rather weird I got it about 12 hours after I made it a claim.

It was a nice cussing out email because I am ruining their business by filing a claim with paypal. No word of who they are or if they are with http://www.altisreef.com but they are the only ones I filed a claim against in 3 years on Paypal. Just seemed odd, I did not reply.

Paypal has it as a claim now and http://www.altisreef.com has until the 4th to reply with tracking number. I am not bashing anyone I am just letting you know what kind of service I have received from them nothing more nothing less.

If they have some sort of emergency I understand but at the same time 12 days no reply to an email.

 

[CarlaW]

Hmmmmmmmmm, guess there's a downside to looking for bargains, thanx for the heads up!!

 

[Saltyfish]

Refund was issued this afternoon with no comments, no emails, nothing, but at least I got my money back.

 

[Saltyfish]

I ordered from Hellolights.com and with the coupon I found on the internet I got them a little cheaper then the last place so it all worked out for the best.

Now I cant wait to get my lights and see some blue

 

[luisse25]

i bought 400w SE 20k xm bulb...im gonna run it on a pfo ballast...

thanks for this thread saltyfish now im relieved i chose the right bulb and brand...eventhough im not sure if im gonna like it.
i will also run 4x24w t5's(2 aquablue+ and 2 true actinic)

im sure this will gonna look good in my soon cube..now im excited.
i fired the xm bulb and yes i like the blue look..

 

[luisse25]

This website has comparison pics..... http://www.chrismorris.ca/250wcolour/

wow i check it out and i think xm 20k is the best
and i think its same color as radium too...

 

[Saltyfish]

Yeah I love the color of those 20K bulbs. I just found out I will be getting mine on FRIDAY!!@!!!!!!

Oh YEah I cant wait FINALLY

 

[tamarindthai]

Yeah I love the color of those 20K bulbs. I just found out I will be getting mine on FRIDAY!!@!!!!!!

Oh YEah I cant wait FINALLY

you will like the color,i'd been through so many of them(20k),,so far the last 4 years i end up with 20k XM

 

[Saltyfish]

you will like the color,i'd been through so many of them(20k),,so far the last 4 years i end up with 20k XM

Dang my wife wants the color you have...

 

[tamarindthai]

,,don't forget 03 super actenic VHO go with it.

 

[Saltyfish]

yeah that is november for my birthday

 

[Saltyfish]

Got my bulbs today and installed them. All I can say is WOW what a difference these bulbs make!

I have two different kinds of ballasts. two are Hamilton and one is ARO.

The ARO is not as bright as the hamilton's so I dont know if that is a good thing yet or not. I like the darker blue color I get from the ARO but the reflector is just made of soild silver. The hamilton have the hammer tone reflector so that could be the issue.

I think no matter what I do I will have to run T5's or some VHO's to blend the colors of the two different kinds of ballasts/reflectors.

On a ballast/reflector note, if anyone knows of anyong selling a Hamilton 250W HQI DE set up please send them my way. Would like to get a new model that has a year or less use on it. The hard part is finding just one. If they have two well just send them my way PLEASE......

Thanks everyone for their input it really helped me make my choice in bulbs!