Ai Vega - A Review (With Pictures)

[fishyfishster]

Originally Posted by kien

Not everyone can see the disco in various fixtures. Some fixtures are more proned to this separation than others but is still dependant on the person. Also, some people simply don't mind the disco/separation despite it being visible.

For example, most people can not see the disco effect with the new GHL Mitras so they will simply say it is not there. Well, perhaps to their eyes it's not because they don't see it, but that doesn't mean it's not there :-) I can clearly capture it with my camera much like you've captured it here with your camera and I am one of the few people who can see the separation on that fixture as well.

At the end of the day, if the light looks good to you, that's all that matters regardless of what people say about disco infernos.

People say they cant see it with the GHL because they dont wanna see it. They're justifying the price they paid for them.

[Leah]

I love how it looks, the photos are incredible.

[lastlight]

no doubt the tank looks great as do your photos. I'm curious as to whether your own eyes see your green toadstool for example as the camera did with the purple areas. obviously the toadstool has no purple in it.

[rstar]

Originally Posted by lastlight

no doubt the tank looks great as do your photos. I'm curious as to whether your own eyes see your green toadstool for example as the camera did with the purple areas. obviously the toadstool has no purple in it.

I think the purple hues in the flesh is brought out by the "deep blue" light and is a tone that is in the coral itself, as to the eye the coral does appear that way. I have a close up of it on my pc at home and will post it tonight"

edit: It could also be caused by some shadowing. Ill investigate tonight and report back.

[lastlight]

obviously i'm a moron then lol. that's one sweet looking toad!

[rstar]

Originally Posted by lastlight

obviously i'm a moron then lol. that's one sweet looking toad!

It is a pretty incredible piece, and my favourite in the tank!

[liz]

"vendors and hobbyists alike mentioning a very bad effect that the Razor gives"

I have ordered this light (not paid for) and I am interested to know what you heard and what bad effect it gives?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by rstar

As I stated above, the two main fixtures I was considering were the Maxspect Razor, and the Vega. I was also considering the Mazzara P and the SOL. I nixed the SOL because I wanted the additional color right away, and the Mazzara because my brother has had a lot of problems with his. The budget I had set for myself was around $800. After numerous PM's from various vendors and hobbyists alike mentioning a very bad effect that the Razor gives, and the fact that it is not modular I decided against it. I'll admit the only fixture I had seen myself was the Mazzara. I largely relied on fellow hobbyist advise, as I'm sure you can vouch first hand that the availability of most of these lights, even to just view is fairly limited in Saskatoon.

I'll also admit that I have very limited experience in any LED lighting, so my perception of what is and is not disco could be out to lunch, but to my eyes, I really cannot see much distinction between the red and green, more so the white and blue, but I don't find it unappealing in any way. The camera may be better picking up the separation, and I imagine if I ran an overflow which would greatly increase the surface agitation, this effect may become more pronounced.

Ultimately my choice came down to quality (AI from my research released a quality product, with good support) Spectrum without having to modify, price, and finally support, as this fixture was available locally, and I could have that backing. I've learned to value Baysides recommendations over the years and so decided to go this route.

The recommended height for this fixture is about 5" AWL and I am running it at 9" to get the spread over the whole tank. I am watching the corals closely and have not notice any burning or anything yet.

I hope this answered some of you questions, and thanks for reading!

Thanks, I was just curious on the reasoning since you mentioned it. The reliability of AI products seems to be really good so it's an obvious choice if the so called disco effect isn't something that bothers you. While a Radion might have a nicer effect and better programming at the end of the day the reliability just isn't there, so given your budget I think you made a decent choice, especially since you could add another one if needed with going to much over.

[kam]

It seems like you can notice the "disco" coloration in the sand bed... I could be wrong but i noticed it right away. Doesnt look bad though and your tank looks beautiful

[fishyfishster]

Disco effect is caused when different colored LEDs are spread out on the fixture.

So when one color is shadowed by something, another color appears in the shadow from a different angle. The reason radions have less of this is because they've only got 2 picks and the LEDs are clustered close together.