diff --git a/dmx_queue.py b/dmx_queue.py
index e9fe3ed..87a9225 100644
--- a/dmx_queue.py
+++ b/dmx_queue.py
@@ -66,15 +66,14 @@ class DMXQueue:
                 level, component, text = self.queue.get_nowait()
 
                 LOG.info(f'Got queue item: {level} {component} : {text}')
+                self._update_all(0, 0, 0, 0)
+                sleep(0.2)
 
-                forward = list(range(17))
-                reverse = list(range(17))
-                reverse.reverse()
-
+                # effect duration should be between 1s and 1.5s
                 if level == 'error':
                     # three instances of two flashes each
                     for i in range(3):
-                        for j in range(4):
+                        for j in range(2):
                             self._update_all(
                                 self.config.alerts.brightness, 255, 0, 0, 50
                             )
@@ -97,16 +96,22 @@ class DMXQueue:
                                 light.intensity = 0
 
                             self._bulk(*light.dump())
-                        sleep(0.5)
+                        sleep(0.2)
                         self._update_all(0, 0, 0, 0)
                 elif level == 'info':
-                    intensity_multiplier = self.config.alerts.brightness / 17
+                    forward = list(range(15))
+                    reverse = list(range(15))
+                    reverse.reverse()
+
+                    # info: two times slow fade
+                    intensity_multiplier = self.config.alerts.brightness / 15
                     for i in range(2):
                         for idx in forward + reverse:
                             self._update_all(
                                 int(intensity_multiplier * idx), 0, 50, 255
                             )
-                            sleep(0.03)
+                            sleep(0.025)
+                    sleep(0.2)
                 self.queue.task_done()
             except Empty:
                 if self.config.rainbow.enable: