Vertex Illumina Club

[jmsalt1]

Originally Posted by notclear

Actually this is the new Illuminata, not Aux Module for Illumina:

http://************.com/2012/05/18/i...ta-led-vertex/

The link is from r e e f b u i l e r s

Does anyone have further details about the small Illuminata light introduced as a prototype at Interzoo?

[Oildalemonkey]

I just got confirmation from Shane @ ProLineAquatics that the UV modules are now in stock and available in the U.S. from Premium Aquatics and Bulk Reef Supply. They might not show up on their websites yet, but you can email them and ask.

I'll be ordering 2 modules for my 36" Illumina 260 real soon.

[Padrino]

SIK!!!!! Ill take 3

[notclear]

That's progress. I need 6! Hopefully the firmware will be released very soon.

[alanbates12]

Hello All. I've joined the Illumina club. My SR1500/260 is on the way. Added three reds and two UV's. Got a question. The light is going on my 180gal reef, 24x24x72. Currently it's got T5s over it. Has anybody had experience in acclimating and can you give me some ideas of what to expect, look for and what not to do? Hoping it will ship this weekend

[bmj]

Originally Posted by alanbates12

Hello All. I've joined the Illumina club. My SR1500/260 is on the way. Added three reds and two UV's. Got a question. The light is going on my 180gal reef, 24x24x72. Currently it's got T5s over it. Has anybody had experience in acclimating and can you give me some ideas of what to expect, look for and what not to do? Hoping it will ship this weekend

Hey Alan - I don't think I'm an expert in this transition; when I switched from T5s to my SR1200/260 on a 24x24x48, I had to turn the lights WAY down. Most of my coral did fine but a couple had issues. Today, during peak daylight, I think my Royal Blue is ~60%, Blue ~45% and white ~25% and my mix of basic SPS/LPS is happy.

I had the lights brighter for several weeks when I first put them up; excitement got the best of me. I've now turned them down a couple times (to the numbers above) and my coral growth seems to have accelerated.

Best of luck and you'll love the light.

[bif24701]

I am looking to get the 260 series for my 4' x24"x24". Two questions: if I can afford the 4' model is it nessasary for full SPS all over my tank? Or is a 3' enough light? I plan on adding some red and UV aux modules how many would I need to give me good color choices? Would the 4' model be better in the case I add these aux modules to give me more room for them so there are still plenty of blues and RBs? This is the largest purchase I will make for this tank just want to invest well. What are your thoughts?





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

[bif24701]

I am looking to get the 260 series for my 4' x24"x24". Two questions: if I can afford the 4' model is it nessasary for full SPS all over my tank? Or is a 3' enough light? I plan on adding some red and UV aux modules how many would I need to give me good color choices? Would the 4' model be better in the case I add these aux modules to give me more room for them so there are still plenty of blues and RBs? This is the largest purchase I will make for this tank just want to invest well. What are your thoughts?





120 gallon mixed reef, 55, 36, and 10g Planted, 29g African rift lake chiclids..

[notclear]

I think if you place SPS on the side then you need the 4' model. Note that the 4' fixture may actually a little bit longer than 4'. If you have a canopy, then you need to consider this as well.

[bmj]

Originally Posted by notclear

I think if you place SPS on the side then you need the 4' model. Note that the 4' fixture may actually a little bit longer than 4'. If you have a canopy, then you need to consider this as well.

This is a very important point. My LFS told me Vertex usually recommends 1' shorter than your tank. I purchased the 4' so that when I get a bigger tank, I won't necessarily have to buy a new light. This turned out to be interesting because I had to make a modification to my canopy to get it to fit. I was just lucky the canopy is built out of thick enough material that I could thin out the sides so a 49 1/5 long fixture will fit inside the canopy. It all worked out but I should have checked before ordering.

[Luxo]

That be alot of light man. 3'er be more than enough. Just make sure you turn it way down at first.
Cheers,
Dave

[dgarrets]

Just took the past several days to read through the entire thread. I have a tank that is setup as a peninsula that is 53" long and 24w24d I am debating on whether to get a 36 260 or a 48 200...

Any thoughts or suggestions? I don't think any future upgrade would be much longer of a tank than I currently have, but might go with something close to the same size and deeper or wider when it becomes upgrade time (which is likely to be several years).

Any input welcome -it is a big investment and I would like to get it right the first time.

Thanks,

Dave

[rodneyri]

Dave, i would get the 48 260 if i were in your shoes. gives you room for expansion with your tank as you mentioned. anything less and you would be restricting especially if you want extra height.

[mojo~]

I just bought MAcko's 24 in 200 for my 60g cube.

anyone order the UV modules yet? wondered what they looked like. Also you all think I should go with 1 uv ? 2 uv and one red ? just curious . I should have mine this week .

[Padrino]

2 for sure!

[mojo~]

I bought 2 and one red

[Padrino]

u have them installed yet?? Has the UV firmware been released yet?

[yongpanda]

Can any vertex owners honestly give me their experiences in coral coloration. Straight out of the box, both the 200 and 260 seem to only have the typical white and blue led combination. After reading how AI's led fixtures make the red in corals seem washed out, I was wondering if this is the same with the vertex.

Also, if this is INDEED the case, do the vertex owners WITH the uv and red modules see any visually improved coloration in corals?

[Stavanger]

Originally Posted by yongpanda

Can any vertex owners honestly give me their experiences in coral coloration. Straight out of the box, both the 200 and 260 seem to only have the typical white and blue led combination. After reading how AI's led fixtures make the red in corals seem washed out, I was wondering if this is the same with the vertex.

Also, if this is INDEED the case, do the vertex owners WITH the uv and red modules see any visually improved coloration in corals?

Hi.
This is my second Illumina fixture,and I am very happy with it.This is the 200/1500 mm.I have mounted 3 red pads,2 royal blue and 2 Uv xtra.Hopefully the software for the Uv will be released soon
Regarding the coral coloration,there was a big difference in it after adding the red pads.A much richer/deeper color so to speak.I have used ATI Powermodule on previous tanks,and the color on my corals are even better with the Illumina in my tank.My opinion is also that the that light itself is more nicer and warmer with the red pads,so I really recomend them.

Br Stavanger

[rodneyri]

Stavanger, what corals do you ahve in your tank? what specific imrpovements did you see in coloration ie pinks, reds, blues etc...very keen to hear from your experience.

do you have pics of your tank / close ups of corals?

[yongpanda]

For those vertex owners, how would you justify purchasing the light as opposed to the competitor lights? The price, with the sale going on is quite high still with the addition of reds and UV modules. The only way I can find to justify a vertex is the ability to add onto the fixture but can't you do that with the new upcoming vega (for an even lower price as well)?

No trying to bash you guys, but rather would like to hear your opinions.

[Stavanger]

Hi.
I have a 99% sps dominated tank with some clams and gonioporas.
The improvements of is in all colors.But especially in the blue/purple/red area.
My newly bought hyachintus frag changed from brown polyps and metallic green base to green/blue metallic base and red metallic tips.Its awesome So as I mentioned earlier,the red pads is really good for deeper/nicer color on my sps
I dont have any pictures for the moment,sorry.
Ps,I have heard some rumors regarding the launch of the uv software program.any day now.
Really looking forward to see what the uv light will do to my corals:-)

Br Stavanger

[hagarthefish]

I was told that the uv software could be released on Thursday 5th / tomorrow.
Hope so

[Stavanger]

Originally Posted by yongpanda

For those vertex owners, how would you justify purchasing the light as opposed to the competitor lights? The price, with the sale going on is quite high still with the addition of reds and UV modules. The only way I can find to justify a vertex is the ability to add onto the fixture but can't you do that with the new upcoming vega (for an even lower price as well)?

No trying to bash you guys, but rather would like to hear your opinions.

Hi.
the Vertex is expensive yes.But the unit itself is more versatile compared to other brands.You can customize the color/ pads,change the original pads when new Led technology is on the market.For those who has the tank in the living room,design is also important.And without optics,the lamp can be closer to the watersurface.Nice for us with rimless tanks.The building quality is great,no noise of fans etc.
A friend of mine bought the new Orphek,and I am not impressed by design,building quality/noise of fans or the possibility of different settings like you have on the Vertex.
But this is only my opinion:-)

Br Stavanger

[notclear]

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.