CURRENT USA ORBIT MARINE LED LIGHT??

[Royy13]

I had the orbit marine on a 20 long. Had some Montipora caps and some digita. Also had some stylos and they grew, but slowly. The 20 long is only 12” deep. Corals were about 5-6 inches from the light. My t5s on my 40 are much better. You can use it, but it’s weak.

 

[AbnormalReefer]

It’s good....... for tanks under or at 10 gallons...

Never really grew monti in my 20 gallon back when I had it the way I wanted it to. Overall a mediocre light. Great for nanos/picos though. I saw That Fish Place in Lancaster PA have a n around 5 gallon acropora dominant tank lighted with a small current orbit. Absolutely stunning! However the tank was very shallow, no more than 6 inches.

Overall ok for softies and LPS, but growth will be PAINFULLY SLOW; terrible for growth in SPS and most (besides montipora in my experience) will brown out. Get something better like an AI Hydra/Prime or some Kessil 360Xs. You will not regret it.

 

[Brad Miller]

Sarah is spot on with original current and on a 55 gal tank, the 4' orbit ic loop will do just ok for softies and lps only, if you like that look and slow growth.
Would need 2 of the Pros to do SPS...
I swapped ic loop on my 55 for Hamilton 4' 4x54 T5 HO with 2-14k whites and 2- 460 no bulbs on separate timers, took a while to get used to the difference from led, but coral love it and looks much better to me.

 

[Sarah24!]

Sarah is spot on with original current and on a 55 gal tank, the 4' orbit ic loop will do just ok for softies and lps only, if you like that look and slow growth.
Would need 2 of the Pros to do SPS...
I swapped ic loop on my 55 for Hamilton 4' 4x54 T5 HO with 2-14k whites and 2- 460 no bulbs on separate timers, took a while to get used to the difference from led, but coral love it and looks much better to me.

Hello,

Lol I try to be accurate :). But the biggest reason for the ic loops not growing sps, is well a few things. The lens on (didn’t realize I typed it wrong till I reread it, but the 4117 pro is 200 watt light with a 60 degree lens), so its very concentrated and puts out a lot of par. But the ic loop according to current was made for the starter to intermediate reefer. Most people who at first loved current hated that the 4117 light fixture was 809.00 each. Plus the power supply is three times the size of the ic pro.

So the fact they have a 90 degree lens, isn’t terrible but that they have less than half the wattage is hurting it a tad. The other item is the rgb diode. The ic pros don’t have enough of the blues to really make corals jump jump like the 4117. Now with that said they will still grow lps and softies great and sps but really high up. There have been so many released all with the same name it’s easier to go by model number now. For example the op posted the version prior to mine but here is what they put out and it’s directly from current, which I strongly believe it’s very underrated.

The reason I say this is if you look in my pics my Maximus clam is about 24 inches down and getting amazing light. Now if memory serves me right they are very light hungry, plus I have some amazing purple stag that grow like weeds and my forest fire digi always grows fast but has the very nice forest fire Red. I have heard like ten different versions of what it’s suppose to be, but it’s that flame hot red. The ice dragon, and also pc rainbow, pearl sherry have grown really good with these as well.

I have lost acros and st first I thought maybe it was too little light so I added a third. Nope that killed them faster and started to bleach my clam. I turned them down well the whites about 40 % now and blues at 100. With the third light they were at 30%.

So will current work yes, are they good lights yes. However they make some for beginning medium and high and they usually get bunched together.

I have tk say their customer service is far beyond fantastic.

 

[ReefyB]

Hello.

Currents (some of them are in the same category as radions g4 pros) and I have proof of this. There are some like the orginal ones (they are kinda crappy) others not so much.

I get that your a big fan of Currents for whatever reason, but there are no currents that are in the same category as g4 pros. And the original currents aren’t “kinda” crappy, they are crappy (aside from being underpowered for anything other than a fish only tank, they crap out on you in a few months). Thankfully the OP is seeking another lighting solution than Current.

 

[Sarah24!]

I get that your a big fan of Currents for whatever reason, but there are no currents that are in the same category as g4 pros. And the original currents aren’t “kinda” crappy, they are crappy (aside from being underpowered for anything other than a fish only tank, they crap out on you in a few months). Thankfully the OP is seeking another lighting solution than Current.

Lol I’m sorry that you hate my lights, but I still haven’t seen any pics of your tank with those amazing radions. :) In addition it’s more inspiring to me that I have created an amazing mixed reef with crappy underdog lights in only 13 months. Anybody can win a race with a Ferrari, but winning the same r ace with a yugo just means so much more when your racing with the all the Ferrari’s.

 

[ReefyB]

Lol I’m sorry that you hate my lights, but I still haven’t seen any pics of your tank with those amazing radions. :) In addition it’s more inspiring to me that I have created an amazing mixed reef with crappy underdog lights in only 13 months. Anybody can win a race with a Ferrari, but winning the same r ace with a yugo just means so much more when your racing with the all the Ferrari’s.

I don’t think I said I hate your lights, just that the original currents weren’t any good (which you seemed to agree with for the most part). You can see plenty of tanks with amazing radions but here’s a few I took about 2 months back, still a new tank 6 months old. JBJ 45 Rimless Flat Panel build (not my build thread, but I also have a JBJ 45 and posted some shots of my tank in this thread)
All my acros/cyphestrea/psammo’s are encrusting, montis growing extremely fast (already need to move them due to shading), mushrooms splitting (unfortunately.. it’s a hairy, but my ricordia also did), and acans popping up new heads every week. It’s great that you love your tank, but that spectrum/lighting shown in your pictures doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone, and I don’t expect your growth, especially in SPS, would be at the same rate as it would be under better lights, so I wouldn’t use the analogy of “winning the same race”. You aren’t necessarily on the track with the Ferrari’s, your just happy setting and beating your own track times on your own course ;)

 

[Armani]

I don’t think I said I hate your lights, just that the original currents weren’t any good (which you seemed to agree with for the most part). You can see plenty of tanks with amazing radions but here’s a few I took about 2 months back, still a new tank 6 months old. JBJ 45 Rimless Flat Panel build (not my build thread, but I also have a JBJ 45 and posted some shots of my tank in this thread)
All my acros/cyphestrea/psammo’s are encrusting, montis growing extremely fast (already need to move them due to shading), mushrooms splitting (unfortunately.. it’s a hairy, but my ricordia also did), and acans popping up new heads every week. It’s great that you love your tank, but that spectrum/lighting shown in your pictures doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone, and I don’t expect your growth, especially in SPS, would be at the same rate as it would be under better lights, so I wouldn’t use the analogy of “winning the same race”. You aren’t necessarily on the track with the Ferrari’s, your just happy setting and beating your own track times on your own course ;)

Soooo another question is..what par levels do zoas need to flourish? Not only zoas but torches and acans and rock flowers???

 

[Sarah24!]

I don’t think I said I hate your lights, just that the original currents weren’t any good (which you seemed to agree with for the most part). You can see plenty of tanks with amazing radions but here’s a few I took about 2 months back, still a new tank 6 months old. JBJ 45 Rimless Flat Panel build (not my build thread, but I also have a JBJ 45 and posted some shots of my tank in this thread)
All my acros/cyphestrea/psammo’s are encrusting, montis growing extremely fast (already need to move them due to shading), mushrooms splitting (unfortunately.. it’s a hairy, but my ricordia also did), and acans popping up new heads every week. It’s great that you love your tank, but that spectrum/lighting shown in your pictures doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone, and I don’t expect your growth, especially in SPS, would be at the same rate as it would be under better lights, so I wouldn’t use the analogy of “winning the same race”. You aren’t necessarily on the track with the Ferrari’s, your just happy setting and beating your own track times on your own course ;)

Oh no I’m in the race with the Ferrari’s, and as I have always encouraged those to build a tank they love. But just curious I didn’t see much sps in your tank and or massive growth for 6 months and your using radions correct. But for my tank at only 13 months old, I have almost filled a 240 gallon that’s 34 inches tall, and the whole upper section is sps and lps.

Yes one persons views on what makes their tank beautiful is never one to question, that’s what they like. But in terms of growth mine corals in terms of pics and if you have followed my thread have per the race lapped you on the course. Yes your tank is nice I won’t disagree, but when you said my lights are not in the same category, as the radions, pics have proven otherwise.

Your correct that not all of currents lights, as well as I have stated not all are designed for advanced tanks. However, my coral growth is fast including sps, lps and softies. Yes I have had my struggles with some corals, in every category. But the main point is when giving advice (I’m guilty as well) some may not want a race, but just the dream of having a small ocean no matter how they achieve that. If those people can’t sfford three or two 800 lights, then what?

I had my choice, my lights were 809.00 each when they came out same as the radions (actually more). But all the time In the lab between these two lights and others is why I went with them. (Yes I was one of the beta testers), but if they had not been giving to me to test I would still have bought them because of what I saw based on experiments. Any updated photos of your tank?

 

[Sarah24!]

Soooo another question is..what par levels do zoas need to flourish? Not only zoas but torches and acans and rock flowers???

Hello,

Honestly it could vary per tank and it has in mine. I have some zoas that are very high up and love it. I have another set on the sand bed and in the shade. If they come into the light they hide, shade they open. Acans my ultra acans vary, some did great on the sand bed, but noticed they opened more with less light.

In my tank 50-100 par is good for most of mine, but my others have probably 500 and thrive just fine. Move them where they open up and getting happy. Remember to wear gloves when handling them :).

 

[Armani]

Hello,

Honestly it could vary per tank and it has in mine. I have some zoas that are very high up and love it. I have another set on the sand bed and in the shade. If they come into the light they hide, shade they open. Acans my ultra acans vary, some did great on the sand bed, but noticed they opened more with less light.

In my tank 50-100 par is good for most of mine, but my others have probably 500 and thrive just fine. Move them where they open up and getting happy. Remember to wear gloves when handling them :).

How long should I wait to move them if they seem not to like it? Some people say wait a week before moving

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

A week sounds about right where are they now, flow, light etc, (sorry been active on quite a few different ones, plus still trying to manage my own thread lol.)

 

[Armani]

Hello,

A week sounds about right where are they now, flow, light etc, (sorry been active on quite a few different ones, plus still trying to manage my own thread lol.)

Current about 6-9” below the light, I have 2 hydor on both sides, 1 is higher up 1 is lower . They have opened but not fully and aren’t showing true colors, only a 1 1/2 weeks old. I’ve come to the conclusion my lights are weak I do have t5s just need to buy bulbs and a stand. Im guessing 2 whites and 2 blues. All I care for is the health of my corals to flourish but also don’t want blinding white light I like the blue look more what can I get for bulbs?

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Have you tried turning the blue up to 100% and white to about 50%. Have your tried to move them lower or where did they normally start. Keep in mind the more you touch or move them they will kinda close up. They should come back fairly fast but could be a reason.

Yes as you know your particular light isn’t great for that brilliant pop. But we can enhanced it by turning the whites down ( which could be the reason and then the blues up. If you use preset number three click the blue up arrow and make sure the blues are at 100. When you click the white down arrow see where they are at first and let me know. You could do preset four which is accilamation setting. Depending on their prior lighting, and water could be a factor. If they came from a t5 mh lighting it will take them a little while to get use to leds.

 

[ReefyB]

We just see it differently I guess. To me, the colors in your pictures look really muted and washed out, they don’t “pop” like they do under better lighting. While I think your tank is doing great, those pictures, to me, show exactly what I mean when I say they aren’t in the same category, not that there’s anything necessarily wrong with that. My tank is almost 6 months today, it was just under 4 months at the time of those pictures, and corals in the system just over 2 months. In that first picture, there are about 5 acros, 3 monti’s (two caps and a digi), and a birdnest (which had already tripled in size in the 2 months, but birdnest grows fast everywhere I think) all across the top. I’ve since added quite a few more SPS (and LPS), but haven’t taken any new shots lately other than my sump area (it’s an all-in-one I’ve been trying to get a custom lid made for so I can finally get some nice fish). I can take more close up shots, of the SPS specifically if you’re interested.

Armani, regarding specific par levels that a hard question as corals may react differently based on many different factors, and different species may have different preferences. I guess generally speaking you could say soft corals are OK 20-50, LPS 100+, SPS 200+.

 

[Armani]

Hello,

Have you tried turning the blue up to 100% and white to about 50%. Have your tried to move them lower or where did they normally start. Keep in mind the more you touch or move them they will kinda close up. They should come back fairly fast but could be a reason.

Yes as you know your particular light isn’t great for that brilliant pop. But we can enhanced it by turning the whites down ( which could be the reason and then the blues up. If you use preset number three click the blue up arrow and make sure the blues are at 100. When you click the white down arrow see where they are at first and let me know. You could do preset four which is accilamation setting. Depending on their prior lighting, and water could be a factor. If they came from a t5 mh lighting it will take them a little while to get use to leds.

They’ve started on the bottom when I first put them in and then I moved them up to the 6-9” mark and they seem to have done better but not to the point i want them to be at. The settings now are currently on the acclimation mode which for me is setting 3 I’ll try what you recommended to see how that works.

 

[SDM]

I have the Current USA 4228 Orbit Marine IC PRO LED Reef Aquarium Dual Light System with Wireless Loop, 72" and the lights seem to work great for me. My tank is 30" deep, I have a leather coral that sit on the bottom of the tank. He is happy as could be, always opening and letting his fingers play in the waves. For some reason the video wont upload in HD but you get the basic idea of the lighting. I have been gone from home for 3 weeks I will check growth when I get back.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im not a big fan of the current lighting as I think I've tried everyone. If you insist on the orbits- go with the Pro

 

[Gobi-Wan]

I had the orbit until this Christmas. I just got a black box as a gift from my wife. In my experience the orbit has its purpose. I had a handful of LPS for 6 months under the orbit light, and they were very happy. Frogspawn, hammer, torch and Duncan's. They were enormous and beautiful. Anything with higher lighting requirements than that you wont be able to keep. I want to keep anemones so I asked for the vivarspectra 300w fixture for Christmas. Black box lights dont have the fancy programming options the orbit does, but they produce many many times more light for a similar price.

 

[Sarah24!]

Hello,

Nice pics, do you have the current marine pro ic loop, if so the black box will have more par. The version I have grow bubble tip anemonie just fine.