**The GHL Mitras LX7 LED**

[rishma]

I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question. I am considering an LX7 for my 37gal redsea reefer. I only have a mac and iphone. I see several references to programing with a PC. A quick review of GHL didn't make it clear.

Any issue?

 

[reefwiser]

To use the GHL program you have to run windows in a emulator .
http://www.iphonetopics.com/windows-emulator-for-mac/
I use VMware Fusion using a boot camp version of windows.

 

[rishma]

To use the GHL program you have to run windows in a emulator .
http://www.iphonetopics.com/windows-emulator-for-mac/
I use VMware Fusion using a boot camp version of windows.

I am a computer moron so this could be an issue. .....

 

[gcarroll]

@sleif
Scott, is the light completely controllable via my Apex? Not really wanting to deal with programming from my Mac.

 

[slief]

@sleif
Scott, is the light completely controllable via my Apex? Not really wanting to deal with programming from my Mac.

No. Not Apex ready. Initial setup can be done via a computer or laptop running windows or a Mac with boothcamp or some other Windows emulator. They are set it and forget though. I never mess with my lights once they are setup and setup on these is really pretty easy. There are project files you can upload tp the lights from other users which you can download via the GHL website. I honestly don't miss the Apex control on my Mitras. I'd never use it the Kelvin adjust and other features in GCC would be missed even if it was Apex controllable. GCC not only allows you to adjust the lights intensity and spectrum easily but it also gives you the cloud, thunderstorm, acclimation features as well as the power settings (High Efficiency vs High Output) fan speed, temp options, power balancing, network setup etc. It's a pretty slick interface and integrating all that into an Apex interface would be impossible. As such, you will want access to GHL Control Center (GCC) to take full advantage of the lights.

 

[gcarroll]

No. Not Apex ready. Initial setup can be done via a computer or laptop running windows or a Mac with boothcamp or some other Windows emulator. They are set it and forget though. I never mess with my lights once they are setup and setup on these is really pretty easy. There are project files you can upload tp the lights from other users which you can download via the GHL website. I honestly don't miss the Apex control on my Mitras. I'd never use it the Kelvin adjust and other features in GCC would be missed even if it was Apex controllable. GCC not only allows you to adjust the lights intensity and spectrum easily but it also gives you the cloud, thunderstorm, acclimation features as well as the power settings (High Efficiency vs High Output) fan speed, temp options, power balancing, network setup etc. It's a pretty slick interface and integrating all that into an Apex interface would be impossible. As such, you will want access to GHL Control Center (GCC) to take full advantage of the lights.

Thanks Scott, Do you know if Matthias will reconsider this programming aspect as to make his product more mainstream? The world is moving away from standard computers and moving to platforms such as ios and android. Why anyone would design a new product in this day and age only controllable via windows is beyond me.

 

[gcarroll]

Maybe even a web interface?

 

[rishma]

Thanks Scott, Do you know if Matthias will reconsider this programming aspect as to make his product more mainstream? The world is moving away from standard computers and moving to platforms such as ios and android. Why anyone would design a new product in this day and age only controllable via windows is beyond me.

I think I would pull the trigger if not for this issue.

 

[slief]

Maybe even a web interface?

There is a web interface/cloud interface (MyGHL) which you can use for basic light programming (time and intensity of the different channels at different times of the day) but you will need the GCC program for the initial setup to get them connected to the network and for firmware updates. It's also doesn't have all the features of GCC. As for what is the pipeline, that I am not sure.

 

[gcarroll]

There is a web interface/cloud interface (MyGHL) which you can use for basic light programming (time and intensity of the different channels at different times of the day) but you will need the GCC program for the initial setup to get them connected to the network and for firmware updates. It's also doesn't have all the features of GCC. As for what is the pipeline, that I am not sure.

Well, I hope someone influential with GHL sees this and maybe it sparks a flame. (hint, hint) I would really love to see more people using this light.

 

[rishma]

I just read about difficulty hanging mitras sideways due to 2 point hanging kit and orientation of the cord. How are people handling this?

 

[GimpyFin]

I just read about difficulty hanging mitras sideways due to 2 point hanging kit and orientation of the cord. How are people handling this?

Aquariumledmounts.com has articulating mounts for the Mitras that work very well and allow you to pivot them however you want. (I actually got the link to order them from Scott as they're the same one's he uses.)

 

[rishma]

Aquariumledmounts.com has articulating mounts for the Mitras that work very well and allow you to pivot them however you want. (I actually got the link to order them from Scott as they're the same one's he uses.)

seems like they are intended for canopy

 

[mako61]

Well, I hope someone influential with GHL sees this and maybe it sparks a flame. (hint, hint) I would really love to see more people using this light.

Having to use only a PC to program these was a big negative for me also. I used my sons laptop to program them. I am guessing this hurts sales, it almost stopped mine. Thats said - the app is not bad to use.

 

[nycman]

Not sure what you mean by marginals. If you were comparing to the Radions, the Mitras LX7's have more diodes in the 420-460nm range than the Radions and more power capability. I have a Seneye monitor and while I don't trust the accuracy of it's PUR graphs, I was seeing nearly 90% at 16,400k on the Mitras. One of the keys to the Mitras LX7's is using power balancing and high output mode if you feel 70% isn't enough power. These Mitras as in HO mode coupled with power balancing are VERY powerful. Much more so than most people would ever need unless the lights are really high off the water and you can use 100% of the fixtures power even with channels like the whites, reds, green and UV dialed way back. That means that the key channels that relate to PUR (blue, RB, Hyper Violet, etc) can get virtually all of the fixtures 195w of power and given there are more diodes in those ranges then the Radions, these fixtures hold their own to them. In short, if you are really not finding enough power from the Mitras which I tend to question, you can increase all your blue channels to 130% in the power balancing interface. Drop the whites to a max of 70% or whatever you peak them at now. Drop the red, green and UV down to 30%.. You likely will never exceeed 30% on those channels anyway. Then you will get more power to the channels that count for PUR. Again, most would never need to do this. I see upwards of an inch a month in growth on some of my SPS. I don't run the fixtures anywhere near 100% in HO mode and if one did, you could easily cook corals.

One thing to keep in mind is that you have 2 larger clusters on the Radions where as you have 6 on the Mitras. With the Radions, you tend to have more of a hot spot around the center of the fixture closer to the light where as the Mitras are a bit more evenly spread. As you get further from the light, the hot spot decreases as one would expect.

I made switched today from high efficiency to high output and changed on the power balancing window a few channels to 130% and few down to 70% or less. Now my question is how do I tap the increased power on the channels that are now 130%? Where can I edit these increases since the LightComposer range is 0% to 100% only? Thank.s

 

[slief]

I made switched today from high efficiency to high output and changed on the power balancing window a few channels to 130% and few down to 70% or less. Now my question is how do I tap the increased power on the channels that are now 130%? Where can I edit these increases since the LightComposer range is 0% to 100% only? Thank.s

It's automatic. If your max intensity is 100% for that point in time, the channels that you have set to 130% will run at 130%, The channels that you have set to peak at 70% will max at 70%. As you reduce the max intensity for that point in time, the intensities will drop accordingly. Essentially, in composer, if you set a channel at 100% and the power balance for that channel is 130%, that channel will now run at 130%. If you set a channel to 100% in composer that is set to 70% in power balancing, that 100% would equal 70% in composer.

Since you switched to HO mode, make sure you set the fan speed to max out at 100% in the power management tab.

 

[nycman]

It's automatic. If your max intensity is 100% for that point in time, the channels that you have set to 130% will run at 130%, The channels that you have set to peak at 70% will max at 70%. As you reduce the max intensity for that point in time, the intensities will drop accordingly. Essentially, in composer, if you set a channel at 100% and the power balance for that channel is 130%, that channel will now run at 130%. If you set a channel to 100% in composer that is set to 70% in power balancing, that 100% would equal 70% in composer.

Since you switched to HO mode, make sure you set the fan speed to max out at 100% in the power management tab.

Thanks for the informative response.

 

[nycman]

I just read about difficulty hanging mitras sideways due to 2 point hanging kit and orientation of the cord. How are people handling this?

I got 7 of them to be perfectly level using the standard issue Mitras hanging kits. I mounted the ballast up high above the lights, as close to parallel to each unit as possible (to avoid the power cord pulling the units to the side) and then ensure that each power cord has no tension in it whatsoever. See photo.

 

[nycman]

Having to use only a PC to program these was a big negative for me also. I used my sons laptop to program them. I am guessing this hurts sales, it almost stopped mine. Thats said - the app is not bad to use.

True. Until I had to start programming these lights a few months ago, I had not used a Windows based machine in over four years. I use my wife's PC laptop to program them, physically hooking the master to the PC using a USB cable. The WIFI is unpredictable - once in a while it connects, but too often not, so I just decided to always use the USB connection instead. Also, have not been able to connect to the Cloud version of GCC, which of course would be accessible via a Mac.

It is not as if I am constantly tweaking the Lightcomposer program. At this point, I am completely ok with the way it is.

 

[reefinder]

Just got my Mitra, was wondering if I could hang the light 18" off the water in a 12" deep tank. I want to grow sps. do you think I will still have enough par at that distance. The tank measures 24" length/width and height 12"? I have one light, also does anyone have a good light schedule I could mimic for this tank, I need help haha?