New Xanium Metal halid Bulbs

[reefcam]

Well, Hello Lights have these new Metal Halide Bulbs for a lesser price than it's counter part. What I'm talking about is the new Xanium H2 400W 10000K bulbs. They are currently selling it for $65 for a 10000K bulb. What a deal. So I thought I try it since the only source you can get the bulb is at Hello Lights.

I finally got the bulb today and took some pictures to compare the differences. So I thought I share this with those who are looking for alternatives to the Ushio 10000K bulbs.

http://www.romperroo.com/FishCorner/...comparison.htm

As soon as they get more in stock, I'm switching out my 6500K for the 10000K.

[chewie]

Nice!!! Can I see the bulb (and your tank) in person. I saw another thread on another board and the pics looked nice too, but I wanna see it with my own eyes. 65 bucks is a smokin deal!!!

[Doug1]

Kewl I am sure you will hang onto your 65K's in case there is a problem with the new bulbs(its not paranoid if you are right )

[reefcam]

Thanks. I always hang on to at least an old bulb in the event of an outage. I rather give the corals some old light than no light.

[Psyduck]

So which do you like better these new ones or the Ushio 10Ks? Reason I'm asking is my dad just got some of the Ushios (175W) instead of the Xaniums (mainly because I said I never heard of them before). He hasnt installed them yet, I'm curious to see what he thinks.

[reefcam]

Psyduck,

I can only speak for the 400W bulbs. I know that different wattage bulbs with the same spectrum will emit different lighting color. Your 175K 10000K may look whiter than my 400W 10000K, this is also true for 6500K. I have a 150W 6500K that looks whiter than my 400K 6500K bulb. Since I'm supplementing my tank with Super Actinics, I like to switch over to the Xanium mainly for the cost. If Hello Lights keep the price at $65 each, it's worth it. When the bulb goes back to it's regular price of $90, I'll have to think hard. I rather spend the extra $25 to get better coloration. But then again, the Xanium is brighter. I may just end up using both bulbs.

Sorry thats not too helpful, but cost is a consideration when it comes to lighting.

[Jimbo]

I sent them an email and they did some testing, but don't want me to post the results. But the jest is that the new bulbs produce more light than the ushios. Reefcam let us know how it works out.

Have a great day!

[Psyduck]

I hear ya, the reason my dad went with the Ushio is because they were only like $8 more per bulb. Thanks for the input

[reefcam]

Just ordered the 15000K Xanium from Hello Lights (**** internet and credit cards, who ever started on-line purchasing should just be shot ).

I'll post picks of the bulb when I get it.

[reefcam]

Wanted to give an update on the Xanium 10000K bulb after a week of burn-in time and just received the Xanium 15000K bulb.

I like the Xanium bulbs over the Iwasaki and Ushio. I even rearranged all my bulbs to put the Xaniums over the SPS. Now I just need to save up and replace the Ushio for the Xanium. Thanks Brian at Hello Light for actively looking for better bulbs.

Here's some picture comparison of Iwasaki, Ushio, and Xanium bulbs. I even went through the trouble to put each bulb in the middle of the tank to give a better comparison.

http://www.romperroo.com/FishCorner/...comparison.htm

[DennisW]

First of all....THANKYOU VERY MUCH!!!! For supplying us with this info!!!!

You say that the Xenion bulb is "brighter" than what? The Ushio 10K????? Is this your personal observation? Being that it is brighter, how much brighter would you say it is. I downloaded the pics and put them side by side but it still seems difficult to say "how much" brighter the xenion (sp?) bulb really is.

Thanks again ReefCam!!!!!!!!!

Dennis

[reefcam]

Hey Dennis,

First off, GOOD LUCK with your move. I hope your M. Capri makes it. Great looking tank.... Here was my first impression when I saw the pics and what you are doing

As to how much brighter. Well I can't put a number next to it, but it looks brighter to me. I can quantify the brighter to a value, mainly because the human eye responds differently to different color spectrum. If I were to put a light meter to the lights, it may just be 1% brighter, but my eyes say lots brighter. I mainly like the asthetic of the lights and how my tank doesn't look so yellow. I know at Upscales, they use a lot of blue light which makes it look clean. It may also be how the light is reflected from the tank that makes it look brighter. But overall, for the price of the bulb, I can't complain.

Thought I post it, so if there are folks looking for bulb alternatives, they can see how it looks in my tank. I know my corals and fishes hated me last night with the bulb changing every 30 minutes.

[DennisW]

ReefCam,

Very true about the blue adding to the "clean" look. Without a doubt it adds to the look of Upscale's tank which by all definitions is AWSOME!!!!!!!

What changes have you noticed since they have "burned in"? Any evidence on how well they hold their spectrum? Have you seen any advertising by the bulbs manufacturer?

Thanks again!
Dennis

PS: I am due for a bulb change and am seriously contemplating going with this bulb. If you couldnt tell.

[reefcam]

Can't say how well it holds on the spectrum as I don't have a meter to test it. If you know of an inexpensive one, please let me know. I guess my tank well tell me how well it holds over time. Watch for different algae growth.

I'm not sure who the manufacturer is. Hello Lights obtained these bulbs from an unnamed manufacturer in China and are selling it under their own label. The longer I find myself in this hobby, the more I find out the parts we use for our tanks can also be purchased from non-aquarium places to save on cost. stick the word, reef safe and you just increased the cost by 200%.

The bulb is still in the early stages and haven't really prove itself. I just wanted the yellowish look to go away.

[Frank]

Cool I just order mine and now I cant wait...........