Vertex Illumina Club

[Animadverto]

Notclear, so let me see if I got this right. Complete update means simply updating ALL the modules in the unit, but I would have to manually download all the necessary firmware from the Vertex web site first onto my computer prior to doing a "complete update" with the light fixture itself via the computer.

Smitty, I hope they are worth it as well. I've only had this fixture for 7 months, and I came really close to replacing it with an ATI 8x T5 dimable Sunpower/Powermodule. The only thing that held me back was the fact that they have to be hung from the ceiling which is a no no for me in terms of aesthetic. I did try to supplement the Vertex with 2 t5's running a Giesemann Lagoon Blue and a KZ Fiji Purple, and the tank looked awesome with the added spectrum from the t5's. Unfortunately, the t5 supplemental unit looked hideous right next to the Illumina.

 

[notclear]

Yes, you first download 1968 desktop pc and install/update it on your computer. Then check if your v-link USB dongle firmware is up to date. The latest version is 1967. If not, update it. Finally download 2035 fixture firmware and then from the desktop application, perform a complete firmware update on the fixture.

 

[Animadverto]

I just updated the desktop software with no problem, but when I tried to update the V-Link dongle and the fixture firmware, I got a pop up window with some .exe and .dat and .log files to choose from. I was looking for the .bin suffix file and it wasn't there. What am I doing wrong?

 

[Animadverto]

I have the SR260 600mm (2 footer) over a custom 30"x30"x24" tank. The coverage is excellent from front to back and side to side.

 

[DolbyDinosaur]

I just updated the desktop software with no problem, but when I tried to update the V-Link dongle and the fixture firmware, I got a pop up window with some .exe and .dat and .log files to choose from. I was looking for the .bin suffix file and it wasn't there. What am I doing wrong?

Check your download directory. Did you extract the .zip files downloaded from Vertex yet? If you haven't, do that first. I would recommend extracting to your desktop.

This should leave you with two .bin files. The one with for the "remote" is your V-Link software and the one that's just called "firmware_####.bin" is for the fixture itself.

 

[DiazE]

starting fixture 1st time

starting fixture 1st time

I just joined the club with a 3ft 260 with two color modules. I loaded the vertex desktop already. What do I do next? Do I now load the firmware in order to use the v stick? Do I plug in the v stick after starting the desktop then load firmware? Please help!

 

[notclear]

Check post #1102

 

[Animadverto]

Check your download directory. Did you extract the .zip files downloaded from Vertex yet? If you haven't, do that first. I would recommend extracting to your desktop.

This should leave you with two .bin files. The one with for the "remote" is your V-Link software and the one that's just called "firmware_####.bin" is for the fixture itself.

Thank you so much for your help. Yes, I found both files in the download folder. Duh, LOL. I wasn't expecting so much manual work with software/firmware updates.

 

[kenrooke]

joining the club

joining the club

I am very close to pulling the trigger on the vertex alumina.i have a 180 gal.and was wondering if three, one foot 260 would be the right choice.dimensions are 72x24x24.it would be cheaper buying individual units but is there a reason not too.i don't want to be stuck with a longer fixture down the road and could use the smaller units on other projects if I downsize.am I missing something.any input is appreciated.

 

[notclear]

I would get a 60" fixture for the sake of easier to program. Also for a 12" fixture there is only one spare slot for aux module while a 60" fixture can have a total of 9 aux modules!

 

[yort265]

^+1. the illumina is great, but not exactly a breeze to program. one fixture would be much easier than 3 separate ones.

 

[mariognutti]

Dear all,
This morning my three multicolor modules arrived!
I'll install them next wednesday....
I'll let you know...

 

[Animadverto]

I was able to do all the software/firmware updates successfully. The light fixture lost connection with the V-link after the update until I manually pressed a button a on the fixture itself to accept the attempted connection/communication with the new v-link firmware. My moonlight became really bright after all the updates, and I had to go into moon setting to lower the intensity.

I did have to reload the expert program from a saved file after the installation of the multicolor module before being able to program the new colors. Programming is a bit of a nightmare now using the graph with lines overlapping and crossing each other all over the place.

For those of you who have experience with the UV modules, what is the recommended setting to start off? Right now, I have mine set to max out at 20%. Thanks in advance.

 

[notclear]

20% is about right.

 

[Tangaroa]

For those of you who have experience with the UV modules, what is the recommended setting to start off? Right now, I have mine set to max out at 20%. Thanks in advance.

I started mine at 25% and increased it to 50% over two months. Any higher than that and the colours start to look a bit too funky for my eyes.

Do the multi modules have the same number of uv leds as the single colour pads?

 

[Animadverto]

I started mine at 25% and increased it to 50% over two months. Any higher than that and the colours start to look a bit too funky for my eyes.

Do the multi modules have the same number of uv leds as the single colour pads?

Unlike the UV modules with 3 upper uv leds, the multicolor modules have 1 UVA led @ 390nm, 1 violet led @ 405 nm, and 2 violet-indigo leds @ 420 nm along with 1 green, 1 warm white, and 2 red leds. So far, I really like the color temperature of the tank with the added module. Let's see how my sps respond to the added spectrum. I do wish they've included a couple of turquoise leds with the multicolor modules.

Have you noticed any changes in the colors of your corals for better or worse running the uv modules at 50%?

 

[mariognutti]

this evening some other pictures...

 

[acesq]

72x36x30 coverage

72x36x30 coverage

I'm planning a new build 72x36x30, predominately SPS. Would I be better off with three 24" SR360s set perpendicular to the front of the tank or one 72" unit parallel to the front? I'm concerned that I won't get enough spread front to back with the 72" fixture.

 

[notclear]

I don't have a SR360 but people say that it will cover that size of tank as it has wider optics. I have a SR260 and my tank is only 22" from front to back and I don't think it covers well.

If you go for 3 x 24" fixture, then you lose the sun rise and sun set functions. And if you still want to, don't place them in perpendicular, but instead place them at 45 degrees and in parallel. By doing that your whole tank will be very well covered!

 

[notclear]

Correction: I have a SR200, not SR260.

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