User Guide

Bluefish User Guide

Getting Started

Lighting Controller

Configure lighting channels:

Configure lighting options:

Initial Hardware Setup

1.  Configure output voltage
Your Bluefish controller is configured to output 10V on its lighting output channels by default.  If you are using the device with drivers that require 5V (Mean Well LDD drivers, for example), this could damage your drivers.

To change your output voltage:

  • Disconnect from power and remove Imp card from device.
  • Remove the 4 screws in the back cover of the device.
  • Remove the back cover and circuit board.
  • Remove the 2 screws holding the circuit board to the cover.
  • Move the adjustment jumpers to the required position.  These are located on the back of the circuit board, and there is one jumper for each channel.   Gently pull the jumper straight out from the circuit board, and place it in the new position.  Do not use any tools to remove the jumpers, as they can be easily damaged.  As indicated, the left position is for 5V, and the right position is for 10V.
  • Replace circuit board and back cover.

 Installing the App

  • Search for “Bluefish” in the iOS App Store on your iPhone or iPad, or Google Play for your Android device.
  • Install the app

Connecting the App to the Controller (BlinkUp)

  • Open the app, and tap “Register a New Device” at the login screen
  • Enter the required fields to complete registration
  • Select your WiFi network, and enter your network password (do not start BlinkUp yet)
  • Gently insert the Imp card into the slot at the top of the Bluefish device so that it locks into place
  • Connect the power supply to the Bluefish device (do not make connection to your lights yet)
  • Ensure the light at the edge of the Imp card is blinking, and tap “Start BlinkUp” in the app
  • Cover the edge of the Imp card with your mobile device screen for the duration of the BlinkUp process (about 10 seconds).  Your mobile device screen will flash rapidly during this process, as it it transmits data to your Bluefish device.
  • Once BlinkUp is complete, your Bluefish device will be connected to your login, and accessible remotely with no additional configuration.
  • Select an option from the Quick Setup menu to automatically apply settings for common light setups.

Note:  If you are outside North America, your WiFi network must be on channel 1-11.

Lighting:  Channel Setup

Each channel is individually configurable to allow use with mixed lighting setups.  Ensure your channels are set up correctly before connecting to your lighting product(s).

PWM Mode:
PWM is a digital method of lighting control. Check your lighting specifications to determine whether you need PWM, or 0-10V (PWM off).

Common PWM products:  Meanwell LDD drivers, Nano Box fixtures, Bluefish PowerPWM
Common 0-10V products:  Mean Well ELN drivers, Kessil A360 pendants

Display Name:
You can assign a custom name to each channel for easy reference.  (eg. Blue, White, etc.)  This name will be displayed throughout the app.

Display Color:
Set a custom color to represent each channel within the app.  This color is for reference only, and has no bearing on the actual light output.

Pendant Time Shift:
You can add a time delay to individual channels.  For example, if you had a 3 channel setup (left, middle, and right), you could set Pendant Time Shifts of 60 mins, 30 mins, and 0 mins respectively.  This is useful for simulating the movement of the sun with pendant style setups.  Paired with Natural Sun mode, this can create a very realistic effect.  Test with Fast Forward in the scenes menu.

Minimum Dimming Level:
Some lighting products are not capable of 0-100% dimming.  These products will have a minimum level that you can dim them to, and any further dimming will turn them off completely.  Without setting a minimum dimming level, this can cause flickering and unintended behavior.  You can determine the minimum dimming level for your product using Free Mode in the Scenes menu.  Minimum dimming should be set to the lowest percent possible while light remains steadily on.

Lighting:  Options

Morning Start Time: The time of day when your lights will begin to transition from Night Levels to Morning Levels
Morning Length:  The length of time between Morning Start time and Midday
Morning Ramp Speed: The length of time it takes to transition from Night Levels to Morning Levels
Morning Levels:  The light  channel output/color for Morning during clear weather.

Midday Ramp Speed:  The length of time it takes to transition from Morning light levels to Midday light levels
Midday Levels:  The light channel output/color for Midday during clear weather.  Midday Levels are also used throughout the day when Natural Sun is enabled (Morning and Evening Levels are ignored).

Evening Length:  The length of time between Midday Levels, and Night Levels
Evening Ramp Speed:  The length of time it takes to transition between Midday Levels to Evening Levels
Evening Levels: The light channel output/color for Evening during clear weather.

Night Start Time:  The time of day when Night Levels will start
Night Ramp Speed:  The length of time it takes to transition from Evening Levels to Night Levels.
Night Levels:  The light channel output/color during full moon, and clear weather.

time-schedule-diagram Diagram representing lighting schedule options. Applies when Natural Sun is off.

Natural Sun:
When enabled, a smooth dimming bell-curve will be applied using your Midday Levels, Morning Start Time, and Night Start Time.  This creates a very natural output.  Morning and Evening Levels are ignored in this mode.

Clouds:
When enabled, current weather data is used from your Simulated Location to create cloud patterns by applying dimming to your light output.  Partly cloudy, mostly cloudy, haze, overcast, and rain conditions all produce unique cloud patterns with varying density, speed, and dimming.

Storms:
When enabled, thunderstorms with lightning are simulated when your Simulated Location’s current weather conditions match.  Lightning color should be set under Special Settings, and Clouds should be enabled for proper effect.

Lunar Cycles:
When enabled, dimming will be applied to your Night Levels to match the moon illumination for your Simulated Location.

Sunrise/Sunset (Dynamic Photoperiod):
When either or both of these options are enabled, your photoperiod (day length) will match that of your simulated location.  This changes daily, to simulate the natural variance of the day length throughout the year.

  • Option A: To have a variable sunrise time, but end at your Night Start Time, enable Sunrise only.
  • Option B:  To have a variable sunset time, but start at your Morning Start Time, enable Sunset only.
  • Option C:  To use the sunrise and sunset times from your Simulated Location directly, enable Sunrise and Sunset (not recommended).
  • Option D:  To only use your manual settings for sunrise/sunset, disable Sunrise and Sunset.

If you enjoy your tank mainly in the evening, we recommend option A.   If you enjoy your tank mainly in the morning, we recommend option B.

Photography Mode:
Photography mode is a way to quickly apply pre-set light levels for taking photos.  Adjust the levels in settings, and apply from the Scenes menu.

Scene Timer:
The Scene Timer prevents accidentally leaving your lights in Free Mode or other Scene.  After the timer expires, the normal lighting schedule resumes.

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