Vertex Illumina Club

[pmrossetti]

Originally Posted by jimrawr

Well after giving this thing a shot, I think I am going to put my 24" 260 for sale. My par readings were fine for this fixture after using the second par meter and sending over 20 emails back and forth with vertex, everything seems on spec. My LPS are doing great with this light but I am not having success with my SPS like I was with my 14k 400w Ushio bulb. Time to cut my losses and sell this thing I think.

I will be going back to a 400w bulb with my 4x24" t5s to supplement to the color I want

disappointing,
good luck Jim, thanks

[willybub]

i have a illumina 36" 200 set at 52 white 80 blues and 35 red and my sps is growing like crazy

[loweryster]

Originally Posted by willybub

i have a illumina 36" 200 set at 52 white 80 blues and 35 red and my sps is growing like crazy

Well there you go. Lighting is just a small part of good sps growth. There are so many other factors that can contribute to poor growth.

[jimrawr]

I cant say 100% that the light is the problem here and I definitely dont want to bash this unit as I do think its the best LED on the market. For me I am just going to go back to what I know will work for sure.

[pmrossetti]

those par numbers you got still don't seem right.

[jimrawr]

Its not that, when I kept the lights on full blast for a few weeks everything got bleached so there is definitely enough light. I just cant get anything to color up/grow

[notclear]

Probably the red modules play a part for the growth as well.

I am still waiting for the red/violet combo module.

[pmrossetti]

Originally Posted by notclear

Probably the red modules play a part for the growth as well.

I am still waiting for the red/violet combo module.

How are your corals doing? color / growth?

[notclear]

Only the SPS at the top 1/3 tank have good growth and good colour. Others not good and that's why I want to add the red/violet modules to see if that helps.

I am using almost 90-100% blues and have dialed down to 35% whites due to algae issue.

LPS - very good growth and colour!

[Padrino]

Hey guys,
I picked up two of the RED LED modules for my 4 ft. I installed them tonight, updated the V-link firmware and I was able to control them through the computer.

However, I need help, One of the two modules is not working, I installed both of them using the same method as per the installation videos by pro-line aquatics. I really think i have a defective module, that or maybe the cable is no good. I took it off to make sure the pins made contact, Everything looks good. Still does not work. Anyone have this issue or has any further tips? board is flat and level with other modules installed and the pins made contact into the buss.

Cheers
Rob

Tonight has kind of been a PITA. Hoping this would have been more positive

[hoser7]

So I'm trying to order a 36" 260. Premium Aquatics is out of stock. I can wait a month or try another retailer. Any suggestions?

[Kolognekoral]

it's certainly worth the wait, but are they the only distributor in the USA?

[Retzius]

Hi everyone,

I am part of the vertex club now. I inherited Jims vertex illumina. Hopefully I have better luck with it on my 40 breeder.

[dadyoj21]

hey vertex users,

I am building a 93 cube add on to my large system tank dimensions (30"x30"x24" tall).

have a few questions

will a 2ft illumina be enough light?

should I go for the 200 or 260?

Are the red aux modules worth the extra money?

Thanks for any input

[willybub]

Originally Posted by Padrino

Hey guys,
I picked up two of the RED LED modules for my 4 ft. I installed them tonight, updated the V-link firmware and I was able to control them through the computer.

However, I need help, One of the two modules is not working, I installed both of them using the same method as per the installation videos by pro-line aquatics. I really think i have a defective module, that or maybe the cable is no good. I took it off to make sure the pins made contact, Everything looks good. Still does not work. Anyone have this issue or has any further tips? board is flat and level with other modules installed and the pins made contact into the buss.

Cheers
Rob

Tonight has kind of been a PITA. Hoping this would have been more positive

same issue here going to have a new update from vertex for the sofware i think on monday if it works i can forward it to you

[x19]

Originally Posted by dadyoj21

hey vertex users,

I am building a 93 cube add on to my large system tank dimensions (30"x30"x24" tall).

have a few questions

will a 2ft illumina be enough light?

should I go for the 200 or 260?

Are the red aux modules worth the extra money?

Thanks for any input

I have a 2ft illumine over my 36" tank, that should be fine for your 30".

I believe the standard recommendation is 26" or less you can go with the 200.

[loweryster]

I just built the same size tank (Marineland 93) and I went with a 260 12" per Jeremy at PA recommendation. I have not hung the light yet but have it siting about 7" above the water and I think he is right the coverage is perfect. I read somewhere else that the coverage is about 30 x 30 and the tank is actually 28.5 x 28.5. Being my first led fixture the extra 700 for the 24" is just too much. I do plan on keeping mostly sps. Do a little reading on the Red pads, I think you'll find you don't really need them.

[dadyoj21]

yes it is a marineland 93 cube but I am not sure I would be satiafied with the light coverage of the 12" fixture especially after the corals grow out some, I am afraid there would be too much shading.

but if I can save that much money that would be great

[Kolognekoral]

Originally Posted by dadyoj21

yes it is a marineland 93 cube but I am not sure I would be satiafied with the light coverage of the 12" fixture especially after the corals grow out some, I am afraid there would be too much shading.

but if I can save that much money that would be great

Jorge,

an interesting observation on my Illumina. I find that colonies in the lower area of the tank, but near the glass, seem to be getting a great deal of light reflected-refracted from the glass itself. The part of the colony closest to the glass is paler. It seems the glass is an excellent carrier of the LED wavelengths. Tests have shown that, when hung about 6" over the water, the Illumina sends 90% of its light into the water column (via refraction, reflection and direct input). Much of this is due to the refractive indexes of water and glass. This may not be the same with plexi tanks, however, due to different indexes.

Once again, comparisons with previous lighting is not really possible. LEDs have some interesting intrinsic qualities.

[chefzif]

Vertex Club building a AGE 72x30x22 will I be in good shape to go with a 60" vertex 260 I am going to have reek scape shallow and 6-8" from the sides of the tank and going down the centrer of the tank in the centrer. Please give me your perspective

[rodneyri]

the new tank got wet on the weekend! will aquascape in a few days ... only if i could take a nice pic with the led on

[Vinny Kreyling]

I think you will be fine with 5'.
My Solaris on a 72" - the end lamps are about 4-5" away from the glass & the tank is lit to the edges.

[rodneyri]

my tank is 56" and the light is 48" and get great coverage.

tank is also 30" wide and coverage is there from this unit too, i dont have dark spots in tank

[pk-sd]

Originally Posted by rodneyri

the new tank got wet on the weekend! will aquascape in a few days ... only if i could take a nice pic with the led on

Very nice

[Padrino]

Originally Posted by willybub

same issue here going to have a new update from vertex for the sofware i think on monday if it works i can forward it to you

That would be great! Did you receive this update?

I was in Stratford for a wedding this weekend, If I knew, I would have come see your system.
Rob