AI Vega Experience?

Schplitter · 03/28/2016, 06:38 PM

Hi guys,

I just got a great deal on a couple of AI Vegas and I'm curious to see who has used them and what the results were. I'm still a strong believer in MH and have them over the tank right now with great success but the summer heat always worries me.

Let me knwo your thoughts on the AI Vega LED's. If you have figured out special settings or time settings that work for you with them I'm also curious to see what works. Let me also know what kind of tank you have and don't forget pictures

Thank you!

Ben

Schplitter · 03/29/2016, 05:36 AM

Bump

Joeb1983 · 03/30/2016, 08:30 AM

FWIW, I have 5 of them along with a few Hydras, Nano's and Primes and my new build is using 4 of them.

Anyways, the Vegas where my introduction to LED's from T5's and it took A LOT of tinkering to get them dialed in so everything was as "happy" as they could be.

I still have one t5 lit tank and I will tell you in my personal experience, I do not have anywhere near the growth or color under the Vegas as I do with the T5's...

I'm not sure if its due to lack of certain spectrums/wave-lengths or what. (Theres countless threads you could read until your blue in the face... Trust me, I know. lol!)

Some say corals will adapt to spectrums and wave-lengths that are supplied... Who knows if that can be deemed optimal?.. But, that's another discussion.

For the amount of fixtures I needed, buying older, used Vegas and Hydras was my option financially. They are upgradable as you may know and mine will eventually be 52's.

Each Vega has 20 LED's. Not very much compared to current models out today.

I'm not an expert by any means, but even though it only has 20 LED's they pack a punch when ramped up.

LED is obviously a entirely different light than t5's or MH's. I've found IME to have them set lower. Even if it looks dim to your eyes.

That's when I start noticing more color, extension (not straining for light) and coralline growth.

Will they get the job done; Id say yes... Will give you the best results; sadly I have to say no.

My Prime over my 18" cube has they closest color and growth compared to my T5's. The Prime has the same amount and color LED's as the hydra 52 puck for puck, so maybe the additional LED's and spectrum have something to do with it...

Like I said, I will be upgrading my Vegas to 52's if that says anything.

03/28/2016, 06:38 PM	#1
Schplitter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 3,767	AI Vega Experience? Hi guys, I just got a great deal on a couple of AI Vegas and I'm curious to see who has used them and what the results were. I'm still a strong believer in MH and have them over the tank right now with great success but the summer heat always worries me. Let me knwo your thoughts on the AI Vega LED's. If you have figured out special settings or time settings that work for you with them I'm also curious to see what works. Let me also know what kind of tank you have and don't forget pictures Thank you! Ben __________________ "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 110 Gal Display, 125 Gal Custom Sump in basement fish room, 2- G3 XR30 Radion's + 2 48' Retrofit T5"s, Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 SSS Skimmer, 2 - Vortech MP-40, Panworld NH-200PS Return, 8x2' Frag tank, DIY refugium lighting, DIY frag tank lighting.

03/29/2016, 05:36 AM	#2
Schplitter Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Oakville, MO Posts: 3,767	Bump __________________ "The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education." Albert Einstein Current Tank Info: 110 Gal Display, 125 Gal Custom Sump in basement fish room, 2- G3 XR30 Radion's + 2 48' Retrofit T5"s, Super Reef Octopus XP 2000 SSS Skimmer, 2 - Vortech MP-40, Panworld NH-200PS Return, 8x2' Frag tank, DIY refugium lighting, DIY frag tank lighting.

03/30/2016, 08:30 AM	#3
Joeb1983 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Stationed in Oklahoma, but from Florida. Posts: 597	FWIW, I have 5 of them along with a few Hydras, Nano's and Primes and my new build is using 4 of them. Anyways, the Vegas where my introduction to LED's from T5's and it took A LOT of tinkering to get them dialed in so everything was as "happy" as they could be. I still have one t5 lit tank and I will tell you in my personal experience, I do not have anywhere near the growth or color under the Vegas as I do with the T5's... I'm not sure if its due to lack of certain spectrums/wave-lengths or what. (Theres countless threads you could read until your blue in the face... Trust me, I know. lol!) Some say corals will adapt to spectrums and wave-lengths that are supplied... Who knows if that can be deemed optimal?.. But, that's another discussion. For the amount of fixtures I needed, buying older, used Vegas and Hydras was my option financially. They are upgradable as you may know and mine will eventually be 52's. Each Vega has 20 LED's. Not very much compared to current models out today. I'm not an expert by any means, but even though it only has 20 LED's they pack a punch when ramped up. LED is obviously a entirely different light than t5's or MH's. I've found IME to have them set lower. Even if it looks dim to your eyes. That's when I start noticing more color, extension (not straining for light) and coralline growth. Will they get the job done; Id say yes... Will give you the best results; sadly I have to say no. My Prime over my 18" cube has they closest color and growth compared to my T5's. The Prime has the same amount and color LED's as the hydra 52 puck for puck, so maybe the additional LED's and spectrum have something to do with it... Like I said, I will be upgrading my Vegas to 52's if that says anything.