XM bulbs and IceCap ballast ?

[Cruiznblue]

I have heard that these do not work well with one another. Just want to hear from people who have experience with this setup.

Thanks

[NewJack]

bump^ tagging along on this one also

[jonnyringo]

I had 2 175w XM 10K bulbs driven by IC ballasts and had no real problems with them at all. Worked great for the 6 months I had them.

[david8956]

Ash - I sent you an e-mail with my LFS info in case you need or want it.

LFS & myself figured out the problem. (Well, we figured out how to make it work anyway)

1st, everything checked out fine with the meter.

2nd, tried another brand new XM 10K bulb - wouldn't light.

3rd, tried that 2nd bulb on another of your ballasts - wouldn't light.

4th, tried a XM 20K on that ballast- it lit up !

5th, tried that XM 20K on my ballast I bought yesterday - it lit up !

For some reason, the Ice Cap 150 MH ballast would not light either of the XM 10K DE bulbs. It did however light the XM 20K DE bulb

I seriously doubt there were 2 brand new defective 10 K bulbs, most likely some type of compatibility issue between the bulb and the ballast.

For now I am running the XM 20K. It looks good, Just keeping my fingers crossed it continues to light as apparently XM offers no warranty on their bulbs when purchased at a LFS by a retail customer such as myself. (Did not know THAT when I bought the bulb yesterday. LFS is a good guy though, did not charge me for the 20 K today)

Just thought I would pass along this possible compatible issue to you as a F.Y.I. Thank you for all of your help earlier today !

Entire thread is located here:

http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=410104

[Cruiznblue]

I was looking to run a 250w 10k XM of IceCap ballast.

[Ereefic]

The 250w XM 10k's are designed to run on a standard magnetic (M58) ballast. I don't know how it differs from running on electronic ballasts, that is just what I was told directly from XM.

[irvin3]

i run xm's on arno electronic ballasts

[dragon_slayer]

I've ran XM 20 KK bulbs on Non IceCap electronic ballasts for the past 3 yrs and the 10 KK for over a year now with no problems. I've seen a few locals and read several threads/articles about problems with IC's and XM's tho. myself I've never had good luck with the IC ballast of any type and therefore choose to not use them for anything these days.

kc

[Cruiznblue]

I guess its like a hit or miss deal. I have heard running XM 20ks on Icecap causes problems...but the 10ks run fine.

[schanz]

I run 10K XM 250W on icecap with no problems now for 7 months.

[Cruiznblue]

cool...they havent lost their color at all either?

[CAPT PETE]

I have 3 250w 10k XM's on Ice Cap ballasts and have had no problems from day one.

[Ereefic]

Ahhh!!! Must be time for me to get a new avatar!!!! :)

[manderx]

from what i have heard, the issue is with the double-ended bulbs (XDE) not the mogul bulbs (XM).

[Cruiznblue]

Geez...that just brings up a whole new ? for me I guess.

I was planning on using SE....but what about DE users?

Any input?

[chewie70]

XM 10k on 250w ciecap ballasts for almost 2 mos. and no problems. I wish I would have gone with the 20k though. 10k's are a little to white for my taste.

[BobB]

I have 2 250w 10KK running on twin Icecap electronic ballasts. There's been nothing to complain about. The bulbs light consistently, and the ballasts are quiet and cool.

[Cruiznblue]

Chewy...are you running actinics as well with your 10ks?

[chewie70]

Hey Cruiznblue, I'm running 2 vho actinics on an Icecap 660. Just not enough blue for my taste. I'm probably going to sell the 10k's through my local club and pick up the 20k's.

[Cruiznblue]

Do you get a crisp blue out of that setup at all?

I was planning on running your same setup basically.

[chewie70]

Hey Josh, maybe a hint of blue, but it's pretty white. It may help if ny actinics were closer to the water, but my canopy won't allow that so there about 7" above.

Matt

[Cruiznblue]

Cool..I can always add a few extra strips to my setup.

Thanks chewie

[dragon_slayer]

i've got 10kk XM's with 4x95w URI Super Actinic VHO's on my 180 and they are very crisp white with plenty of blue. the VHO's are below the MH's with the VHO about 2.5" off the water.

kc
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/580/29872250w_10kk_xm_VHO_actinic-med.JPG

[Cruiznblue]

Sweet i like your setup...thanks

[dragon_slayer]

this is my old setup, after i changed it to the current setup (pic in last post) the coralline growth has really taken off. the coral coloration is considerably better as well.

kc
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/580/29872MH.JPG

[Mr.Lloyd]

I have 4 250 watt 20,000K XM's on Icecaps and they work fine.

[Cruiznblue]

cool...will be getting myself some XM's and Icecaps soon.

Thanks guys for the input