reefingnoob
New member
Looks like I joined too late. Where are all the experts?
Vertex Illumina Club
- Thread starter deangelr
- Start date
No but what was the question all u said that it a hard software....
I am certainly not an expert...but have had a few experiences with my illumina that might help...
-There are some youtube videos for using the software that might be helpful.
-Make sure you do the latest firmware updates.
-When you update your pads...make sure you do a "complete" update. Otherwise only one pad gets updated and it messes up communication with the others.
As far as color combos...I only have added uv. Imo, the multicolor are more for viewing pleasure. However, if you only have one or two spaces available on your fixture, you may go multicolor because you really can't add more later and you also get a little uv with that module.
-There are some youtube videos for using the software that might be helpful.
-Make sure you do the latest firmware updates.
-When you update your pads...make sure you do a "complete" update. Otherwise only one pad gets updated and it messes up communication with the others.
As far as color combos...I only have added uv. Imo, the multicolor are more for viewing pleasure. However, if you only have one or two spaces available on your fixture, you may go multicolor because you really can't add more later and you also get a little uv with that module.
I have been using the Vertex 360 60" with 3 multicolor pads added for about 7 months now and I am totally frustrated with this light. I have been a "reefer" for more than 20 yrs and I have had success with all different lighting configurations. I run a ULN tank with the Zeo system and since I started using this light I have lost almost all my acros to RTN and STN, my LPS corals have to be shaded and softies are unable to grow under these strong lights. I have tried all types of lighting schedules and color configurations and still my tank look like crap. At this point I am going back to ATI T-5's to try to salvage what corals remain and regain my passion for this hobby.
I know what u ar saying...
But the prb is every one is going back MH...
I am new to this hobby and started woth this light so I dont k w what is the difference....
My corals look great but the tend to loose some colors after 3 to 6 days amd then stay same color afterwards. ...
I dont have multicolor pads I only have 2 red that I bought and regret...
Cause its not imp...
My advise from to you is to raise the buddy around 25 cm from the water thats what iv done and it seams better...
Ohhhhh plus what is this software it is the worst software in the world u have to be a geek to knw what u are doing...
I have a standard 150 gallon 6 foot tank 24 " deep bare bottom. Raised the light about 15" above my tank less burning but not a great look for viewing. My local fish store has a vertex 260 and they are totally unhappy with their light also. LED's need more work, face it!!!!
mariusmeyer
New member
Are you guys not running the light on too high settings, this will cause corals to bleach if they were not acclimated properly. The SR360 is incredibly strong. I have been running a stock standard SR260 over my mixed reef for over a year and I could not be happier.
Rhino203
New member
I've been running my illumina sr260 for about 3 months. I just recently got the vlink but haven't played with it yet. I was running them on a 10hr cycle on custom mode, and now I'm running a 12hr cycle. I have the white @ 10% RB @85% and blue @ 80% on a 2hr fade on and off. Wondering if anyone has had any luck on the custom mode not using the vlink. So far I lost a acan and a Monti but have others that are doing good. I'm thinking the loss is due to the light. Thanks in advance for any help.
I was an early adopter of the vertex illumina and to this day is still above my tank. I can sympathize with everyones frustration on the software. My gripe is that they have not released an update on the latest OSX software. I have updated my macbook and cannot control the illumina. I would use my old PC laptop but now that is broken, so get with the program vertex and update your shitty software.
toronto_discus
New member
Hi,
I am running the 4' illumina 260 on a 6' tank for 6 months now and corals are not growing nicely as I expected. The LED is placed 12" off the tank with output of 85% for royal blue and blue and 50% for white.
I see that from other posts that people set their intensity at approximately 30%. Are I setting my intensity too high?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
I am running the 4' illumina 260 on a 6' tank for 6 months now and corals are not growing nicely as I expected. The LED is placed 12" off the tank with output of 85% for royal blue and blue and 50% for white.
I see that from other posts that people set their intensity at approximately 30%. Are I setting my intensity too high?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Last edited:
toronto_discus
New member
jlanger
Get busy living...
Just to chime in...
I'm coming up on a year of having a 3ft SR260 fixture over my 120gal (48x24x24) reef.
I know there's not a lot of information available in the US for these fixtures and I had to do a lot of searching for answers. (UltimateReef.com forums)
Hopefully I can shed some light on some very common questions.
Before buying the Vertex fixture, I had purchased a cheaper LED unit that had no dimming capabilities and I burned a lot of my corals over two months. I went back to T5 lighting until I bought the Illumina. I did a lot of research before I started the LEDs again.
The fixture hangs 10 inches above the water line and I run an Expert Program that lasts 12 hours, but there is a three hour "sunrise" and a two hour "sunset".
I started out with my Royal Blues and Blues at 30% and my whites at 10%.
Once all my corals began to brown out from a lack of light, I very slowly ramped up the levels about 5% every two weeks.
After a couple of months, just about everything was back to normal.
Since the original purchase, I have added 2 Multicolor Modules and 2 Royal Blue Modules.
As of today, my Royal Blues max out at 100%, Blues at 90% and Whites at 55%. They only max out for about three to four hours.
I find that if the White LEDs get any higher, some of my darker montipora spp. corals begin to lighten up.
I've been running the same lighting program since Memorial Day; when last modules were added.
This was taken around Labor Day.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/ReefCentral/VertexGraph083113.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/ReefCentral/VertexGraph083113.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo VertexGraph083113.jpg"/></a>
My only real complaint about the LEDs is that I cannot get my red montipora corals to brighten up like they did under T5s. The red color is muted and pinkish, not fire engine red like before. It has gotten better, but still not quite there.
I may need to start playing around with the Multicolor Module LEDs more to see if those help.
Any suggestions about how to help me regain my bright red color again would be appreciated.
I have had a couple small issues with the program and the V-Link.
I called BRS and was directed to Jen at Tech Support (PA?) and she was great. She fixed my issues and even answered questions/feedback about the fixture and program.
Remembering to install all the available updates is a must. It will drive you crazy trying to figure out what is wrong when you forgotten to do one.
I would like to see an App or other easier means of making simple changes to the lighting programs, though.
Overall, I really like my Vertex Illumina LED fixture.
And I hope some of this information helps some of the newer users.
I'm coming up on a year of having a 3ft SR260 fixture over my 120gal (48x24x24) reef.
I know there's not a lot of information available in the US for these fixtures and I had to do a lot of searching for answers. (UltimateReef.com forums)
Hopefully I can shed some light on some very common questions.
Before buying the Vertex fixture, I had purchased a cheaper LED unit that had no dimming capabilities and I burned a lot of my corals over two months. I went back to T5 lighting until I bought the Illumina. I did a lot of research before I started the LEDs again.
The fixture hangs 10 inches above the water line and I run an Expert Program that lasts 12 hours, but there is a three hour "sunrise" and a two hour "sunset".
I started out with my Royal Blues and Blues at 30% and my whites at 10%.
Once all my corals began to brown out from a lack of light, I very slowly ramped up the levels about 5% every two weeks.
After a couple of months, just about everything was back to normal.
Since the original purchase, I have added 2 Multicolor Modules and 2 Royal Blue Modules.
As of today, my Royal Blues max out at 100%, Blues at 90% and Whites at 55%. They only max out for about three to four hours.
I find that if the White LEDs get any higher, some of my darker montipora spp. corals begin to lighten up.
I've been running the same lighting program since Memorial Day; when last modules were added.
This was taken around Labor Day.
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/user/jason_langer/media/ReefCentral/VertexGraph083113.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d4/jason_langer/ReefCentral/VertexGraph083113.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo VertexGraph083113.jpg"/></a>
My only real complaint about the LEDs is that I cannot get my red montipora corals to brighten up like they did under T5s. The red color is muted and pinkish, not fire engine red like before. It has gotten better, but still not quite there.
I may need to start playing around with the Multicolor Module LEDs more to see if those help.
Any suggestions about how to help me regain my bright red color again would be appreciated.
I have had a couple small issues with the program and the V-Link.
I called BRS and was directed to Jen at Tech Support (PA?) and she was great. She fixed my issues and even answered questions/feedback about the fixture and program.
Remembering to install all the available updates is a must. It will drive you crazy trying to figure out what is wrong when you forgotten to do one.
I would like to see an App or other easier means of making simple changes to the lighting programs, though.
Overall, I really like my Vertex Illumina LED fixture.
And I hope some of this information helps some of the newer users.
I have just about ended up with identical light mixtures as you, with a 4 foot Illumina unit over a 1000 litre (approx 280 galls) Tank of mixed corals....mainly SPS.
I have added 5 multi colour modules to the standard unit.
Am I correct in seeing that you have U/V at 55 ?? because I got burning at that level and have backed off to 20% for an overall better outcome.
I also have a 6 hour peak output with ramp up and ramp down times of 1.5 hours each...maybe I am over-lighting just a bit
My unit hangs 4 inches over the tank, so I will progressively lift it a little over the next month or so, and slowly reduce the max output time, because if I can get the same outcome, it will help the temperature issue....despite what the adverts say, LED lighting still gets hot enough to affect my water temperature and with Summer now here (40degrees C +) any help with temp control is welcome !!
Overall, I am very happy with the colour and condition of the corals under the Illumina lights, but I agree with you, the reds seem to suffer more than most in retaining good colour....I wonder what part of the spectrum/intensity needs further adjustment to get the reds back in line ??
Cheers...David
I have added 5 multi colour modules to the standard unit.
Am I correct in seeing that you have U/V at 55 ?? because I got burning at that level and have backed off to 20% for an overall better outcome.
I also have a 6 hour peak output with ramp up and ramp down times of 1.5 hours each...maybe I am over-lighting just a bit
My unit hangs 4 inches over the tank, so I will progressively lift it a little over the next month or so, and slowly reduce the max output time, because if I can get the same outcome, it will help the temperature issue....despite what the adverts say, LED lighting still gets hot enough to affect my water temperature and with Summer now here (40degrees C +) any help with temp control is welcome !!
Overall, I am very happy with the colour and condition of the corals under the Illumina lights, but I agree with you, the reds seem to suffer more than most in retaining good colour....I wonder what part of the spectrum/intensity needs further adjustment to get the reds back in line ??
Cheers...David
reefernutz
New member
I'm looking to get the same look as my old Radiums from my SR360. Has anyone played with these to try and match the Radium color spectrum.
mariusmeyer
New member
My current settings are whites @ 55% and both blue and royal blue on 85%.
mariusmeyer
New member
I don't have any issues with my red plating monti not keeping its colour. It is just as red as it used to be under the 250W 20K halides I had.
The only thing that I would like is some normal high powered blue auxiliary pads with maybe 6-8 normal blue LEDs. Reason being is that you can then turn up the whites more and still keep the bluish look. With the current standard configuration, the tank is too white/yellowish for my liking if the whites say go up to 80% with the blue and royal blues at 100%. The royal blue pads don't really add blue to the tank like the normal blue LEDs.
The only thing that I would like is some normal high powered blue auxiliary pads with maybe 6-8 normal blue LEDs. Reason being is that you can then turn up the whites more and still keep the bluish look. With the current standard configuration, the tank is too white/yellowish for my liking if the whites say go up to 80% with the blue and royal blues at 100%. The royal blue pads don't really add blue to the tank like the normal blue LEDs.
reefernutz
New member
Anyone???
Also, I'm thinking about putting my Illumina on my big tank. It's 60L x 30W x 28H. Will the Illumina give me coverage front to back?
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