I am looking at getting a refurbished Vega and was wondering if anybody has done this and what your thoughts or opinion are. Is it worth saving $100 or should I just buy a new one? Also what controller are people using for these as I have heard not so great things about the one from AI? Thought and opinions would be appreciated.
Buying a refurbished vega?
- Thread starter gixxer600
- Start date
If cost is not an issue, the ATI LED powermodule. I think the AI lights and anything but the Radium Pro (still not overly impressed with it) lacks U/V. I think the main reason the DIY leds seem to be so successful is the added UV chips. IS DIY and option? If so, check with SnowManSnow or Reeferman. I think they both have DIY fixtures with great results when keeping SPS.
I saw Reeferman's (Reggie's) earlier this week and am still picking my jaw off the floor. I'd put his color up against just about any other tank for color. Just plain amazing. My factory made led fixtures have 410/420nm chips on them. I wish they had more and it's only a 5 minute swap to do so. Putting some on order today.
I think the biggest issue people have with "high quality" leds is they run them too strong, its not they are losing color from missing something its they are being bleached by too much intense light.
I've had a MMled since the original group buy and through all the BS spewed about them I had got down on the fixture and kept increasing the power until I was about 90%B and 80%W. Things were starting to lose color and I was ready to throw the fixture away. Then I got a hold of a PAR meter.
Readings were 1650 at the surface, 1400 at my upper rack, 350 at the bottom center and 120 at the edges. At this point is when it clicked for me. I lowered the intensity to get 1200 at the rack and 250 bottom center and 80 at the edges. Then adjusted my corals accordingly acans and chalices to the bottom edges, zoas across the bottom middle and the SPS on the rack. Things have been improving ever since.
The moral of the story is "Know your equipment" there is a lot more to lights than just putting them on a timer. I would be willing to bet a main reason the DIYers have better success is because they know their fixtures better than anyone else.
Back to the OP, I personally really like AI's line and they have A++ customer service. If I were shopping for a new led I'd be looking at the Vega blue, Hydra and the Kessil cannons.
I've had a MMled since the original group buy and through all the BS spewed about them I had got down on the fixture and kept increasing the power until I was about 90%B and 80%W. Things were starting to lose color and I was ready to throw the fixture away. Then I got a hold of a PAR meter.
Readings were 1650 at the surface, 1400 at my upper rack, 350 at the bottom center and 120 at the edges. At this point is when it clicked for me. I lowered the intensity to get 1200 at the rack and 250 bottom center and 80 at the edges. Then adjusted my corals accordingly acans and chalices to the bottom edges, zoas across the bottom middle and the SPS on the rack. Things have been improving ever since.
The moral of the story is "Know your equipment" there is a lot more to lights than just putting them on a timer. I would be willing to bet a main reason the DIYers have better success is because they know their fixtures better than anyone else.
Back to the OP, I personally really like AI's line and they have A++ customer service. If I were shopping for a new led I'd be looking at the Vega blue, Hydra and the Kessil cannons.
I agree with you Clay. Knowing what you have and how to use it is vital in your success on keeping corals in your tank. I like the Vega but just wondering if there is something else out there that is dimmable and i can have control over my color spectrum.
Mathew... on that same journey myself. Regarding the refurb AI: I didn't like the 90 day warranty. But I went back to their site today and you can fix anything that goes wrong at a reasonable cost.
