Ai vega

[g-ray]

So I took the plunge and got 2 of these for my DSA 105. I am going from a 8 bulb t5 fixture just wanted to see if any one familiar with Vegas can offer tips in regards to what intensity I should start out with. Thanks for your input!

[electricrcplane]

I also bought a vega, but I already had a sol blue plus. From what I've read it appears there is an acclimation control on the new controller that will let you set it at 50% for a period of time to let your corals acclimate to the new light. Here's a great quick quite on some of the new features: http://support.aquaillumination.com/entries/22589638-new-controller-user-guide

[g-ray]

My thoughts would be is led really going tone that much stronger t5s

[electricrcplane]

yes, you'll be suprised at how bright it is. Also no changing bulbs or losing par over time. Go to elegant I think they have the par meter from Maast that you can check out and then get par readings with your T5s and then with the LED.

[g-ray]

Well I am excited to see these things in action I will set them up this weekend

[FireWater]

When I switched form t5 to sols I ran at about 50% power for a week then bumped up 5% a day till they were running 74% on whites and 90% on blues.
When I switched over to Vegas I started out at the same settings. I had the sols 14" above water line and the Vegas are now at 10" AWL.

[g-ray]

Wow that is pretty high I thought ai recommended 4 in above water line. MY plan was to go 6 inches above... Any feedback on this?

[rrasco]

You'll probably want more working room than that. And yes, leds are powerful, be careful.

[g-ray]

Ok I didn't really expect that LEDs would be stronger than t5 s on an sps tank I bought them for options that are offered and color. Now I am getting excited kinda makes me feel better about the switch. Can't wait to see the ext tank mounts setup.

[Big_Pun]

better put some pics !!!

[FireWater]

I am slowly lowering them, but I do not think I will get to 4" AWL. The sols had narrower optics than Vegas so the recommended height was 12" to 14" with sols. You are correct that AI says you can go as low as 4".
I ran 2 sols over my 120 (4'x2'x2' deep) and never had issues. The Vegas use a wider optic so you can get away with lowering them. Right now I am not noticing any coverage issues at my height.

[rrasco]

I would be nervous with lights 4" above a non-covered tank. Also doesn't give you much room to get in the tank. I frequently bump mine and I think they are more like 12" AWL. Depends on what works best for you and your system in the end.

[g-ray]

better put some pics !!!

I will haha

[g-ray]

I would be nervous with lights 4" above a non-covered tank. Also doesn't give you much room to get in the tank. I frequently bump mine and I think they are more like 12" AWL. Depends on what works best for you and your system in the end.


Very True I think I may try 8in to start and see how that goes I just want to make sure I am getting the most par possible as my reef is only sps... not a polyp in sight...

[350gt]

I had my sols at 12" awl....

i have the vega's at about 8"... I might lower them to 6" and leave them there...

[g-ray]

I had my sols at 12" awl....

i have the vega's at about 8"... I might lower them to 6" and leave them there...

Thanks for the feedback I dont want to have to keep adjusting them as it will be a pain since I am tank mounting them and adjusting the height will be a pain...

[Big_Pun]

i hear the vegas are "shocking" cough, cough....Tony

[FireWater]

I would think 6" would be fine. You can always adjust the percentages. Start a little low on the % to give yourself some wiggle room. You will notice some color change coming from t5. Just giving you a heads up.

[Paul28]

For you guys that made the jump from MH/t5 to Led Vega was it worth it not with money im saying the light output the colors and the just over all look becuse when income tax comes in the wife gave the ok to buy 2 or 3 of them for my 60' tank and im realy wanting to make the jump like i said ive had MH over my tanks since umm cant rember its been that long. I had the chance to look at them at Elegant reef and man thay look nice but not the chance to see them over a tank

[g-ray]

Paul I will let you know the cash spent is still setting in hahaha... but from all that I have read seems like a worthy jump. Lets just see if these things can grow sps.

[Big_Pun]

im hoping the radion pro will be at a lower price than originally posted, keep reading rumors it will be.

[Paul28]

Paul I will let you know the cash spent is still setting in hahaha... but from all that I have read seems like a worthy jump. Lets just see if these things can grow sps.

:) yeh thats why im nervis if i spend that mutch money and half to put my mh/t5 back up oooooo my wife will skin me alive in my sleep haha

[FireWater]

Paul you are welcome to come check out mine. I'm only a couple of miles away from UC.

[Paul28]

o man that would be great

[FireWater]

I have to teach Saturday, but should be home in the evening and most of the day Sunday. I'll PM my number to you.

[Paul28]

:)

[350gt]

For you guys that made the jump from MH/t5 to Led Vega was it worth it not with money im saying the light output the colors and the just over all look becuse when income tax comes in the wife gave the ok to buy 2 or 3 of them for my 60' tank and im realy wanting to make the jump like i said ive had MH over my tanks since umm cant rember its been that long. I had the chance to look at them at Elegant reef and man thay look nice but not the chance to see them over a tank



I had t5s over a frag tank, maybe not the best, maybe not enough bulbs... But I really enjoy the look of corals under the sols and now the Vegas..... All my corals seem to do better as well in my experience....

I also have a 60" tank and I would recommend the 3.

[RayAllen]

Paul they really are slick. I got to see them on Johns tank and they are pretty cool. Corals look great and the fixtures are modern and slick. I will probably be going to route some time next year.

[Paul28]

sweet, yeh im going to be able to go to Johns house this week and see them cant wait to see what thay look like

[350gt]

i hear the vegas are "shocking" cough, cough....Tony


Lol more like a tingle of joy!


even though one of mine was DOA... I am still pleased with my purchase and the CS from aquailluminations has been great...

[rrasco]

Did you shock yourself Tony?

[350gt]

Yes I did....

Dont know how but when I put the broken unit back together, I guess the current passed througn the bolt on the cover and burned a few small holes in the shorts....

[g-ray]

lol nice well I think I am going to put these lights up tomorrow morning lets hope they were worth it haha.

[FireWater]

Just smile while you do it and remind yourself they have to be worth it.Lol
I can honestly say I love mine. Best thing besides research and patience that I have done to my tank.

[FireWater]

Lol. I don't know if I actually know what Tony looks like, but after hearing about the shock I keep picturing a chubby dude looking like Einstein. You know with the wild hair and all.

[Big_Pun]

Lol. I don't know if I actually know what Tony looks like, but after hearing about the shock I keep picturing a chubby dude looking like Einstein. You know with the wild hair and all.

he has no hair! not chubby also, like a med husky......

[FireWater]

It's like talking to someone on the phone. Always different when you actually meet them in person.

[rrasco]

LOL. You gotta be careful with electronics.

[Scutterborn]

Its funny that I'm in the middle of my OSHA 10 course and reading a lecture on electrical safety as I saw this... Lol.


-Ben-

[350gt]

he has no hair! not chubby also, like a med husky......

Yea I'm going bald.... Sucks but oh well, I hated hair when I did have it... I actually lost 10lbs not too long ago but cutting down on sodas and tortillas but that didn't last long.... Haven't weighted myself lately but I know I'm probably back up to 195ish..

I'm short, which I hate more than going bald.... Lol

[g-ray]

Lol well operation ai vega tomorrow morning is on

[FireWater]

Don't know if you are already aware of the updates yet, but you may need to do a firmware update. Pretty easy to do by going to the AI site, downloading the updates, and then hooking the controller to the computer.

Also, pics or it didn't happen.