Vertex Illumina Club

[yongpanda]

alan- thanks for the insight. But I guess what I'm curious about and what others seem to be asking now is the upgrade-ability option that vertex provides. But isn't this also provided with the radions and the upcoming ai vega where you can customize your led clusters and order them to your liking? Also, AI is also providing wireless control like the vertex.

I also head that the AI upgrade from sol to vega was only like $100-$200, so there is also a cost difference.

So would you vertex owners say that , now that the competition has come up to somewhat the level of the vertex, the only difference you'd see in the vertex vs other competitor's lights is the aesthetics of it all and maybe some progaming differences with their led control?

 

[acesq]

Did some more reading and found that the 260 is 30% brighter than the 200.

That's a significant amount. And now Vertex is coming out with the 320 and 360, which I assume are even brighter. For what purpose -- tanks deeper than 30"? I guess I need to determine how much PAR or PUR the 200 produces and make my decision based on that. I don't much like the concept of buying more than I can ever use even if I can throttle back. (And buying for a potential upgrade doesn't make sence for me -- If I upgrade to a deeper tank, it will be longer as well so this purchase will be for a 120 only.) Am I missing something?

 

[rodneyri]

I read the new versions have the Cree XT-E LEDs in them, should be good

 

[Padrino]

Post some pics with the illuminas

 

[alanbates12]

That's a significant amount. And now Vertex is coming out with the 320 and 360, which I assume are even brighter. For what purpose -- tanks deeper than 30"? I guess I need to determine how much PAR or PUR the 200 produces and make my decision based on that. I don't much like the concept of buying more than I can ever use even if I can throttle back. (And buying for a potential upgrade doesn't make sence for me -- If I upgrade to a deeper tank, it will be longer as well so this purchase will be for a 120 only.) Am I missing something?

No I don't think your missing anything. Sounds like the 200 may be best for you.

 

[alanbates12]

alan- thanks for the insight. But I guess what I'm curious about and what others seem to be asking now is the upgrade-ability option that vertex provides. But isn't this also provided with the radions and the upcoming ai vega where you can customize your led clusters and order them to your liking? Also, AI is also providing wireless control like the vertex.

I also head that the AI upgrade from sol to vega was only like $100-$200, so there is also a cost difference.

So would you vertex owners say that , now that the competition has come up to somewhat the level of the vertex, the only difference you'd see in the vertex vs other competitor's lights is the aesthetics of it all and maybe some programing differences with their led control?

Not aesthetics and there are more differences than what you see Lets compare three LED fixtures, Vertex, AI Sol and Ecotech Radion. Three good fixtures.

Remember what I explained about LEDs and what it takes to power one.
Vertex 32 LEDs per foot at 80W
AI Sol 24 LEDs per foot at 75W
Ecotech 34 LEDs per foot at 120W

Vertex, its ability to overpower high Kelvin 400w MH bulbs
AI Sol, ?
Ecotech,?

Vertex, wireless control
AI Sol, ?
Ecotech, wireless functionality

Vertex, 2 year manufacture warranty.
AI Sol,?
Ecotech,?

? only indicates I could not find the info on there web page. These are three great fixtures but I found more in the Vertex. More LEDs per foot at lower power consumption which indicates great drivers and electronics, warranty, and the controllability with the vlink through the computer is great. Also it does not have reflectors which gives it more even light spread, not spotlighting. Spotlighting can make coral placement more difficult. Not enough light or to much which can lead to bleaching. And the silent fan operation. Just my opinion

 

[rodneyri]

good compare, would be good to see the list expanded to other LEDs and different categories too..like number of color LED to make the spectrum, PAR at a certain depth, spread, expandability.

some other lights
GHL Mitras 72 LEDs 120w
KR 93SP ??
what else is popular..

 

[alanbates12]

good compare, would be good to see the list expanded to other LEDs and different categories too..like number of color LED to make the spectrum, PAR at a certain depth, spread, expandability.

some other lights
GHL Mitras 72 LEDs 120w
KR 93SP ??
what else is popular..

Remember you can have good PAR but not good PUR. PUR is what is usable to the animals. I too would like to see this expanded on. I know lots out there on the red LEDS causing alge growth. Would like to know the spectrum that's causing this. Maybe I'll try to do more search and post it if no one else can. Also explaining the color spectrum and what it's doing inside the tanks would be good

 

[mojo~]

I will have my vertex tomorrow. I have had the ai and radion. I can say the added red makes a difference in appearance but can't say that it changes growth or anything like that. a little red goes a long way for sure. Now for green, I didn't notice much difference at all in the green. And what little change I did see.didn't really matter.
Its had to compare really. For me I wanted my light close to the tank with no spot lighting . I was g toyed of being blinded by the lights hanging 8 to 12 inches above the tank. Now for some it may not make much difference. I didn't want my little girl looking up at them and hurry her eyes. So for me this was a large factor. Plus adding the UV and red leds will really round off the spectrum nicely. I have had the illumilux strips before and I know they are to notch. So with past history and talking to Jeremy at premium I went with the vertex. Got a good deal on the 2fter as well. I'll ***** some pics when I get it.plus the red and UV pads.

 

[Stavanger]

Illumina

Illumina

That's a significant amount. And now Vertex is coming out with the 320 and 360, which I assume are even brighter. For what purpose -- tanks deeper than 30"? I guess I need to determine how much PAR or PUR the 200 produces and make my decision based on that. I don't much like the concept of buying more than I can ever use even if I can throttle back. (And buying for a potential upgrade doesn't make sence for me -- If I upgrade to a deeper tank, it will be longer as well so this purchase will be for a 120 only.) Am I missing something?

Any news regarding the software update for the Uv pads..??

Br Stavanger

 

[rodneyri]

How do we measure PUR

 

[DolbyDinosaur]

Do you guys want to wait for the Red/Green combo module instead of buying the Red module now? I know it may take nine months for them to release something like the UV module although this time may be a lot shorter!

I will wait though.

Green is such a waste of time.

 

[alanbates12]

How do we measure PUR

Found this on the web I hope it helps
PAR and PUR measurements.

Some background is useful as these terms are not as familiar to many hobbyists:

Photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) is defined as the amount of radiant energy available within the approximate spectral range of 350 to 750 nm (Tyler 1966). Instruments commonly used in studies of photosynthesis are PAR meters; that is, they report 400J700 I,h) or total PAR. Photosynthetically usable radiation (PUR) is defined as
the fraction of photosynthetically available radiant
energy of ysuch wavelengths that it can be absorbed by
the algal and plant pigments. Light is selectively absorbed
by most algae in the blue and red regions of the
spectrum, causing the transmitted light to be concentrated
in regions of the spectrum where algal pigment
systems are ineffective at trapping light for photosynthesis
(Sullivan et al. 1984). PUR is necessarily less than
PAR, and PUR will depend on both the pigment complement
of the microalgae and the spectral composition
of the available submersed radiant energy.

It has been suggested that we can calculate PUR through a light calculator and thus have a more precise method of measuring light than PAR. However, I have argued that without knowing the pigment complement of the plants in question, none of which are known............nor have been quantified near as I can tell, maybe I have not searched enough yet, you cannot say much about it. Research also supports this view.

PAR will always be equal to or higher than PUR.
I do not dispute that. PAR meters are also easy to measure with, the methods for measuring specific PUR wavelengths and intensities is not.
Modeling calulators can and do have issues, and need results to verify.

 

[rodneyri]

Ok, lots to read up on. Ill be measuring my new LED under this and trying to replicate a spectrum close to a MH as possible and measure results on the tank, could i use this to get PUR?

 

[hagarthefish]

Any news regarding the software update for the Uv pads..??

Br Stavanger

I've not been told anymore on the possible date, I was gutted when I realised I needed the firmware upade after buying two units and was told two weeks! That was six weeks ago and I have been told a couple of days and then maybe thurs.
We will have to sit this one out with no realistic date to look forward to.:deadhorse:

 

[notclear]

So there is no need for green, just get the red?

Green is such a waste of time.

 

[mojo~]

I did not notice much difference with green but hat was me. I Cant speak for my corals though..

 

[alanbates12]

I've not been told anymore on the possible date, I was gutted when I realised I needed the firmware upade after buying two units and was told two weeks! That was six weeks ago and I have been told a couple of days and then maybe thurs.
We will have to sit this one out with no realistic date to look forward to.:deadhorse:

Try going to Facebook, look for vertex aquarists, and ask them. They should give you better confirmation.

 

[hagarthefish]

Try going to Facebook, look for vertex aquarists, and ask them. They should give you better confirmation.

I am intouch with Jamie at Vertex, but I dont think they really know the date. Thats fair enough really because its more important that the firmware is good. Its just hard to wait well over what you have been told, I just have trouble waiting really lol:lolspin:

 

[Stavanger]

Vertex

Vertex

I am intouch with Jamie at Vertex, but I dont think they really know the date. Thats fair enough really because its more important that the firmware is good. Its just hard to wait well over what you have been told, I just have trouble waiting really lol:lolspin:

Hi
I got a mail from Jamie on monday were he said he hoped to release it yesterday( thursday)
This has to be the most stupid business idea in the history of man.. Sell the UV pads, but software to make them function is not ready..:wildone::uhoh2: