Vareefer804
Community Member
I'm about to order a fixture but not sure which. What is the main diff between the two, it seems the sol will put out more light considering it has 8 pucks. Any help is appreciated as I play on ordering a fixture today
vega or sol
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JMSKI333
Valuable Member
It sounds to me that you are not ready to order yet (unless you really have to). I don't know much about LED's just yet but I personally have a researching illness when it comes to purchasing something as expensive as a light for my aquarium. My suggestion is to keep reading about the two lights until you know which one you want.
Vareefer804
Community Member
Still looking for an answer what's the main diff
fort384
Active Member
There are several differences.
The AI Vega pulls about 50 more total watts than the AI Sol, but has 4 less diodes per unit. The new diodes are higher wattage. The AI Vega color includes 2 green and 2 red diodes, which are going to be somewhat useless for providing usable light to your coral, but it can provide you with some cool lighting effects.
The AI Vega comes with wireless capability to work with the new controller. With the AI Sol, you would have to add a wireless adapter to work with the new wireless controller, if you want a wireless controller.
The vega is $100 more - but you get some gimmicky lighting effects and some additional control. As far as the light it provides, while I haven't seen anyone provide PAR readings or analysis on the vega, I doubt there is a ton of difference. So, it just comes down to if you want the extra control and the extra colors, imo.
I use AI Sols on my reef and have been happy with them. The optics make both the vega and sol extremely powerful fixtures. I wrote up a review awhile back on the AI Sol White, if it interests you. Review: Aqua Illumination Sol, Hanging Kit, and Controller - Aquarium Advice
The AI Vega pulls about 50 more total watts than the AI Sol, but has 4 less diodes per unit. The new diodes are higher wattage. The AI Vega color includes 2 green and 2 red diodes, which are going to be somewhat useless for providing usable light to your coral, but it can provide you with some cool lighting effects.
The AI Vega comes with wireless capability to work with the new controller. With the AI Sol, you would have to add a wireless adapter to work with the new wireless controller, if you want a wireless controller.
The vega is $100 more - but you get some gimmicky lighting effects and some additional control. As far as the light it provides, while I haven't seen anyone provide PAR readings or analysis on the vega, I doubt there is a ton of difference. So, it just comes down to if you want the extra control and the extra colors, imo.
I use AI Sols on my reef and have been happy with them. The optics make both the vega and sol extremely powerful fixtures. I wrote up a review awhile back on the AI Sol White, if it interests you. Review: Aqua Illumination Sol, Hanging Kit, and Controller - Aquarium Advice
Vareefer804
Community Member
^^^^ thanks....
MBSL55
Active Member
I've got some PAR comparisons between the two in my build thread as my old tank was running Sols (all with 70 degree optics as opposed to the 70/40 combination from the factory) and the Vega fixtures on my new tank. Although I had higher PAR readings with the Sols, my Vega fixtures put out enough light that I recently had to back them down from about 75% to 60% due to bleaching.
The lenses in the Sols are 70 degree and 40 degree, which can be swapped out for whatever combination you prefer, while the Vega uses 80 degree optics. The Sols are better at penetrating deeper because of the tighter optics options.
The Vega must be used with the new wireless controller, which also does give you coral acclimation and sweeping cloud cover modes in addition to your regular moon phase and lighting storm effects modes. The Sols can also use the new controller via hardwired connection unless you get the wireless upgrade for each Sol.
The Vega does use fewer LEDs than the Sols but as mentioned, draws more power due to the larger 5w main LEDs. The Vega Color with the red and green LED's gives you more output in those spectrums. AI Vega - Technical Specifications
All Vega fixtures use the PowerPuck that will allow you to order custom pucks in the future with whatever LED combination you want (i.e. if you want to add violet or UV for example) and the Vega also has 20 channels of control instead of 3 channels for the Sol. That gives you the potential for a lot more control on the Vega if you go with different LED colors.
The Vega heatsink is also designed to work with the AI EXT mounting system and gives you a little more flexibility with how the light slides on the rails. The Sols can also be used with the EXT but mount differently.
If you get a Sol and want to upgrade to the Vega later AI has said the upgrade will be $250.
The lenses in the Sols are 70 degree and 40 degree, which can be swapped out for whatever combination you prefer, while the Vega uses 80 degree optics. The Sols are better at penetrating deeper because of the tighter optics options.
The Vega must be used with the new wireless controller, which also does give you coral acclimation and sweeping cloud cover modes in addition to your regular moon phase and lighting storm effects modes. The Sols can also use the new controller via hardwired connection unless you get the wireless upgrade for each Sol.
The Vega does use fewer LEDs than the Sols but as mentioned, draws more power due to the larger 5w main LEDs. The Vega Color with the red and green LED's gives you more output in those spectrums. AI Vega - Technical Specifications
All Vega fixtures use the PowerPuck that will allow you to order custom pucks in the future with whatever LED combination you want (i.e. if you want to add violet or UV for example) and the Vega also has 20 channels of control instead of 3 channels for the Sol. That gives you the potential for a lot more control on the Vega if you go with different LED colors.
The Vega heatsink is also designed to work with the AI EXT mounting system and gives you a little more flexibility with how the light slides on the rails. The Sols can also be used with the EXT but mount differently.
If you get a Sol and want to upgrade to the Vega later AI has said the upgrade will be $250.
fort384
Active Member
Thanks for sharing. That EXT mounting system looks sweet on your tank. I don't see an upgrade to the Vega from a Sol pod available yet, but I would consider it for the wireless control and the color variations.
Where did you see that they will offer a conversion/upgrade?
Where did you see that they will offer a conversion/upgrade?
Vareefer804
Community Member
Very nice comparison.. I went with the sol hopefully I'm happy
MBSL55
Active Member
Thanks! It is one of the updates on their homepage. Scroll to the bottom here: AI - life illuminated
I also asked them about it at MACNA and it pretty much will replace everything on the Sol except the heatsink, fan, and maybe power supply.
Thanks, glad I could help. I ran Sols for about a year and had incredible growth, lower power costs, no more bulb changes, and my chiller ran a lot less even in the hot Texas heat. I bought mine used but after just one year, they pretty much paid for themselves just in electrical cost savings and bulb change savings. They seem to be holding their value pretty well too even with the release of the Vega.
I would just acclimate your corals slowly if you are switching from other types of lighting. I started at about 40% and went up 5% a week. I didn't run into any issues with my red or orange corals losing their colors when I took my time with light acclimation. I would, however, get bleaching if I went over 80% You might want to consider investing in a set of 70 degree optics replace the 40 degree optics for the center pucks if you are running them over a shallower tank (i.e. 24" of water or less). You can order those directly from AI's website and swapping them out is easy. I got better coverage out of my Sols that way. Have fun and enjoy your new lights!
