Vertex Illumina Club

[notclear]

I have installed 4 uv modules today without any issue. I don't have the red modules yet.

Here's what I did:

1. Save the exiting custom program.

2. Update the desktop software.

3. Make sure that the existing custom program is still working, if not load the saved backup.

4. Install the uv aux modules.

5. Update the fixture firmware with complete option.

6. Load the previously saved custom program, then program the uv colour strength.

7. Run light preview and confirm it is working and then upload program to fixture.

8. Save the custom program.

[mojo~]

any pics?

[Animadverto]

I just noticed on the Vertex website there is a newer Vertex Desktop firmware version 1.906. The current version of my Vertex Desktop is 1851. Does anyone know what the updated version entails? There's absolutely no description on the Vertex site about this newer version. I guess I just don't want to run the risk of updating it and then have certain things not working properly because newer doesn't necessarily mean better when it comes to software especially if it's not thoroughly tested.

[notclear]

I updated the desktop version to 1.906 today without any issue.

[notclear]

Originally Posted by mojo~

any pics?

I only set the UV to 10% and I will keep it for a week like that and then increase it from there. So far I don't see any difference.

No picture sorry as my photograph skill is zero.

[Luxo]

Originally Posted by Oildalemonkey

Thanks for the replies! I was thinking 2 would be enough to start, especially at $100 a pop...

Dave, I'm in Bakersfield or more specifically Oildale, CA., which is plenty dirty don't worry!

Much respect brother!
I wasn't sure if Oildale is where you are from!! I've been there a couple of times.
Not as bad as some hoods in LA! Never the less it does deserve respect on that front!
In any case we do have the top 5 dirtiest counties according to some documentry I saw on BBC last year!!!
Dave

[mitchvon]

Guys,

Just recently installed 2 UV modules in my SR900. Updated the software and firmware last night. All was successfull. Now in my colour composer and on the lamp itself i have the UV option (which i didnt before, so i assume these modules are atleast being recognised). However when i compose the colour i can not get it to light up at all. I know it has been said that they are diffucult to see, but when i put everything at 0% and the UV at 100% my tank is still completely black

Whats going on?? Any suggestions

Mitch

[Padrino]

Originally Posted by mitchvon

Guys,

Just recently installed 2 UV modules in my SR900. Updated the software and firmware last night. All was successfull. Now in my colour composer and on the lamp itself i have the UV option (which i didnt before, so i assume these modules are atleast being recognised). However when i compose the colour i can not get it to light up at all. I know it has been said that they are diffucult to see, but when i put everything at 0% and the UV at 100% my tank is still completely black

Whats going on?? Any suggestions

Mitch

Last year when i purchased my red aux pads. I had the same issue with one of them doing exactly that. Turned out, the pins were not correctly seated in the bus rails. I had to reinstall that one pad twice to get it on correctly. I haven't had any other issues since. Ap
Apparently the material that the pins pierce into will self seal so if its not 100% seated and torqued down correctly, thereis a potential to reseal the connections.
hope that helps
Rob

[mitchvon]

Thanks for your tips Rob. I played all this morning with it! After many resets, updates, resets, updates, uninstalls.... I now have the UV working on through the light composer on the light it self under the the custom setting. However it is not adjustable and remains on at 100%, but when i go to compose the light in light studio on the pc it wont illuminate

[rakabos]

This software is crap by the sound of it and I just ordered a SR260 1200

/sigh

[medox]

Originally Posted by studentdriver

I had some issues with the Beta software that wouldn't let me upload the program correctly. I have since found a solution.

When you open the VLink desktop software, don't let it fully download the program from the Illumina (if you are using a laptop. Once it connects and starts to download the program, move far away from the fixture). It'll show an error in connection. Then set the new graph from scratch. Move the laptop back close to the illumina and upload the graph that was just created.

To see if all is well. Run the Quick motion.

Hello Studentdriver,

I found the solution to avoid the bug with the new software and firmware !!!
'Impossible to upload from the vertex desktop " a custom or export program or graph..."

the "bug" comes from old backups. For me it's impossible to upload a old custom or expert backups.

So You Need to Do That:

unplugging the lamp, resting it a minute or Two to the discharge resistors, and plugging it back in Will re-initialize it. Often this communication solves small problems. It Does not remove loaded graphics.

Normaly, It Will Be re initialized, with a custom setting at 50% for every colors.
So now, you could go to the vertex desktop modify only the current custom or expert setting. (Don't try to download a old backup)

In that way you could upload the modified graph.

I notice also that way resolve the bug of no light when you say ok
in "the composed color" ...

Now everything is ok ....

Stéphane

[pk-sd]

Originally Posted by rakabos

This software is crap by the sound of it and I just ordered a SR260 1200

/sigh

Hopefully they will come up with a more stable version soon. All those people on the fence between this AI and radion fixture might decide to look the other way if these issues do not resolve quickly. In month or two, I think everything will be fine..I hope

[rodneyri]

When i had the illumina the software was very stable and great to use, im sure vertex will sort this out with the new color pad issue.

[Padrino]

Its just little glitches only for some. If you follow the steps exactly as some people have posted, you should be able to get it working. However, I see your point and your right, no matter how you approach it, it should work.

Anyone take any UV pics yet. Ive order my 3 pads but it will be another 1.5 weeks before I receive them.
Rob

[mitchvon]

Its just little glitches only for some. If you follow the steps exactly as some people have posted, you should be able to get it working. However, I see your point and your right, no matter how you approach it, it should work.

I have followed exact steps not only from users but from the developers. I have manually reset all modules, factory resets, uninstalls, and multiple firmware software reloads. Nope still the UV is still stuck on 100% but only in the light composer. Otherwise it doesnt work at all.

So im going with software / firmware issues.

Hope it get sorted.....

[96p993]

Originally Posted by Animadverto

The SR200 series are rated for tanks up to 24" according to Jamie from Vertex (KologneCoral) from my discussion with him a year ago. However, when I tried to order the 200 series recently, I was told that Vertex is discontinuing them because the SR320 and the SR360 are coming out. I went ahead and bought the SR 260 instead for future tank upgrades. Mike (Mimbler1) was told the same thing when he ordered his light.

You might want to contact your Vertex retailer in Australia to see if they still have the SR200 series in stock. Otherwise, you may have to get the SR260, which is not a bad thing. I would rather have the option to dial down the light than not having the option to dial up if I were to get a larger and deeper tank in the future.

Who exactly told you the SR200 series was being discontinued? This is the only place I have seen this mentioned online....

[Mimbler1]

Yes, Premium Aquatics contacted vertex on my behalf to try to get me a SR200, but they were told no more would be shipped. I was able to find a leftover at another vender. The SR260 is a more powerful unit with 30 percent more light, but I just could not see any need for more power in my future, so I was reluctant to spend the extra cash. I would have, though, if I didn't find a SR200. I love this light! My chiller will never run again,
Mike

[Animadverto]

Originally Posted by 96p993

Who exactly told you the SR200 series was being discontinued? This is the only place I have seen this mentioned online....

I bought mine through Aquarium Specialty because they have direct shipping from Proline Aquatics from the West Coast as I wanted my light ASAP. I believe Proline is the authorized distributor for Vertex in North America. They said that the SR200 series are being discontinued by Vertex.

[96p993]

Thanks for the info...My concern is the support and true modular upgrade-ability you will get for the unit down the road. That seems like a lot of money to spend on something that is being phased out...I have to be missing something, I think...

[Animadverto]

Originally Posted by 96p993

Thanks for the info...My concern is the support and true modular upgrade-ability you will get for the unit down the road. That seems like a lot of money to spend on something that is being phased out...I have to be missing something, I think...

I don't think Vertex is phasing out the operating platform of the light fixture. They are just phasing out their baseline SR200 series which are equipped with XTE leds on their led modules. The discontinuation of the SR200 series only means that they are not putting cree XTE led chips on the modules anymore because the new baseline SR260 series are equipped with XPG leds which produce more lumens per watt. I'm sure Vertex probably has XML leds in the newer SR320 and SR360 series.

I'm certain the operating platform is the same with the newer SR320 and SR360 series, which means that upgrading is just a matter of dismounting the old led modules and remounting them with newer ones through piercing contact with the fixture itself since they all use the same Meanwell led drivers. This part is the true modular upgrade-ability that sealed the deal for me when I made my decision. I started looking at this fixture a year ago and have done all the research I could online and came back to Vertex. Bottom line is that everything that's technology-related will eventually get phased out, but I'm willing to bet that the current platform will stick around for a while because it's well designed, functional, and easily upgradable. Changing out the entire platform would mean a lot of $$$ in R & D, and would not make much financial sense for Vertex to do that at least in the short term.

[jt48]

Here is my 6 foot (1800) Vertex Illumina SR 260

[pk-sd]

Originally Posted by jt48

Here is my 6 foot (1800) Vertex Illumina SR 260

Sweet. You get that clean look only with a Vertex fixture and no other on the market. Nice rockwork

[96p993]

Owners, now that you have owned the unit Im wondering about the lack of neutral white, and not having full spectrum on this unit. I know you can get the reds and the UV as additional units but Im wondering your thoughts on the unit out of the box. Im comparing this to the new GHL coming out that really seems to be one of the first units to really have it all (maybe too much)...

[studentdriver]

You can forget about future upgrades on the Illumina, at least not in a cost effective manner. Did you see how much the main pads cost. Upgrading all the pads is like buying a brand new fixture.

[Luxo]

Originally Posted by studentdriver

You can forget about future upgrades on the Illumina, at least not in a cost effective manner. Did you see how much the main pads cost. Upgrading all the pads is like buying a brand new fixture.

I have a 260 and thought the same, I was actually a little ticked about this so I emailed them and the response was:

Dear Dave,
The parts are available globally for repair just in case of a mishap for example dropping the fixture in water….
We make these parts available globally since we would want our customers to have fast access to parts should they need it in such cases mentioned.
Since the fault ratio of the pads since launch of the platform in 2009 has been close to zero. Our dealers bear the cost of stocking these and carrying inventory of a part that might never sell, hence the higher pricing.
These prices do not reflect what the cost to upgrade would be. At the moment we have not had many requests to upgrade. This is simply because even the SR200 is more than what any reef would require. In most cases people are turning all channels down anywhere from 50 to 80%.
The main reason for increasing the power are as follow:
1- New XTE platform while more advanced and superior in many fronts is cheaper so we can maintain the pricing while increasing the power.
2- The stronger fixture can penetrate more depth for anyone that might possibly run the fixture on deeper tanks in their current and or future set up. Specially in EU we are seeing a new trend of deeper aquaria.
3- You can run the fixture at lower power and save energy. Her at Vertex being a German company we are always conscious about our product’s power consumption both for monetery and Carbon footprint reduction purposes.
We are planing to offer an Upgrade program in the near future. This will not be launched until the new year but its already in the work at the marketing department. We just have to overcome the logistical challenges of “factory-direct” so we can offer the best prices and availability to all our customers globally.
Best Regards,
Vertex Aquaristik Support