Vertex Illumina Club

I have a 180 gallon system with a 60" Illumina 260 over it. Does anyone know of a place I can find lighting programs for it. I'm trying to do an all SPS system and im really disapointed with the way my sps look and are growing under the light.
 
I wouldn't blame the light completely. there is no magical program, it varies on what you like spectrum wise, and also your tank. what the depth where is all your Sps located and also water parameters
 
I have a 180 gallon system with a 60" Illumina 260 over it. Does anyone know of a place I can find lighting programs for it. I'm trying to do an all SPS system and im really disapointed with the way my sps look and are growing under the light.

I think there are a few things to consider:

1. As the previous poster said, placement of corals, water quality, and flow all have a lot to do with coral color and growth. Not knowing about your specific situation, this may or may not apply.

2. I was somewhat disappointed in my Illumina (I have a 48" over a similar system) until I added six multicolor modules. I had three, but it just didn't cut it. With the UV specifically, I noticed that corals were much more vibrant and healthy.

3. Your corals may just be adjusting to different lighting than they were used to (if you had MH/T5 before).

4. Both PAR intensity and duration are important to corals, so playing around with both of them can have an effect (potentially stretch or shrink your photo period while decreasing or increasing the intensity). I've found the most success with a light profile that approximates a normal (bell) curve similar to sun in equatorial areas. The height and width of that curve are what I've adjusted to make my corals happy. I started out with my corals starting to brown, then adjusted up about 5% per week or so. I haven't stopped yet, but my corals are looking a lot better, improving each day.
 
I've got a 48" sr260 over my 72" tank, with the lights 7" above the water line (24" deep) - what percentage would be a good percentage? Currently I'm sitting at 20w/80/80
 
Because the 3ft SR360 needs more power than what one of the power supplies can give. You need to connect both power supplies to the connector going to the light. My 5ft SR260 uses 3 power supplies.
 
Hi,

I've put my old 1200mm Vertex 260 over my new 1500mm aquarium.

The new tank came with cover glasses - I'm inclined to dump them and use egg-crate to keep the jumpers in, any views on that plan?

Also the light is the 'vanilla' fitting - W B RB LEDs, so I could add more. Is there a consensus about adding more via the Blue / UV panels or using the (more expensive) multicolor panels - if so how many panels?

Mark
 
Definitely don't use the glass covers, but egg crate blocks a lot of light. I'd recommend the clear screening from BRS, preferably the 1/4 inch.
 
As for the modules, I have the same fixture, and I found more tanks that were successful with the multicolor LEDs than just white/blue. I initially chose to go with three modules, but then bought another three when I thought it wasn't cutting it. I have a center brace, so that middle slot would be marginally effective anyway.

I personally think that the tank is a bit white (I run at 100% B/RB and like 70-80% white for a good part of the day). It probably is a little less than 10000K during the peak of the day. I have been considering adding a couple of stunner strips to add some more blue - I was hoping to be 14000k or so.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, I find that the tank grows corals really well, and I've scheduled the whitish period so that I'm not usually around for it. The sunrise/set times are much more blue/violet. So, while for looks I probably would have gone three multicolor and three blue modules, I think growth and color are probably better under the six multicolors.

I'm not sure if I made your decision easier or harder, but that's what I've found.
 
Thanks,

1/4 inch mesh isn't available in the UK but I visit the USA so I can get some next time I'm there, I'll use the egg crate until then, and up the intensity of the lamps.

I'm thinking four modules for a 1200 mm (4 foot) Vertex fitting? Perhaps two multicolour and two Royal Blue?
 
Thanks,

1/4 inch mesh isn't available in the UK but I visit the USA so I can get some next time I'm there, I'll use the egg crate until then, and up the intensity of the lamps.

I'm thinking four modules for a 1200 mm (4 foot) Vertex fitting? Perhaps two multicolour and two Royal Blue?

How deep is your tank? What are you going to be keeping?
 
How deep is your tank? What are you going to be keeping?

Tank has a 21 inch water column.

At present its fairly new with a lot of LPS (Euphyllia / Caulastrea / Echinopora / Catalaphyllia) plus some Montipora, Acropora and Stylopora SPS.

I'm planning on selling a lot of the LPS (especially the Euphyllia - it gets huge!) and boosting the SPS content, I'll still have some LPS but I don't want it too dominant.

Mark
 
At 21 inches, I think the two and two should suffice. I have six multicolors, but I'm also keeping primarily SPS at every level in my 27" tank.

Worst case, you can always add two more!
 
sorry I'm new to this i don't want to sound dumb but what is the difference between the illumina 260 and illumina 360 bulk reef is having a sale on this lights and don't want to miss out
 
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