Current USA Orbit Marine ?

[BitFix]

I'm planning my first reef tank (25 gallon) and was searching for a budget light when I came across the Current USA Orbit Marine on Amazon for about 100 bucks. I only plan on having soft corals, easy LPS and a bubble tip anemone so my questions are: Does someone own this light? Is it any good? Can it sustain a bbta?

 

[jda]

I would not do it, but some people would.

You can get a decent black box for the same money... like a Mars or Galaxy Hydro. While not the best of the best, they are better than a single Orbit, IMO. Check out some reviews on these and see if they are for you. There are literally dozens of different kinds of these.

 

[BitFix]

I would not do it, but some people would.

You can get a decent black box for the same money... like a Mars or Galaxy Hydro. While not the best of the best, they are better than a single Orbit, IMO. Check out some reviews on these and see if they are for you. There are literally dozens of different kinds of these.

I thought about those options, but for I really don't like the look of them, and would rather having a thin one that sits on top of the tank rather than a bulky one that has to be suspended over the tank

 

[Scotty Buttons]

How deep is the tank you will be using? That light will work for softies and maybe some LPS if your tank is really shallow.

 

[Dpate]

Buy cheap= buy twice!

 

[Mikeneedsahobby]

I have the 48” version. The fixture looks nice. Controller is good for me. It isn’t too bright though. I have a fowlr so it is fine for me. I don’t know how it would do with coral.

 

[BitFix]

How deep is the tank you will be using? That light will work for softies and maybe some LPS if your tank is really shallow.

It is relatively deep, it's about 17 inches, but I will probably only have low light LPS, like candy cane and euphylia

 

[Mical]

It'll work for softies and some LPS and also good for your depth of 17". I had 2 over a 60 gal (48" long) and they supported 3 BTAs

 

[Dpate]

It is relatively deep, it's about 17 inches, but I will probably only have low light LPS, like candy cane and euphylia

That’s what you say now, but.... the sps bug WILL bite so might as well get lights that you can use in the future now!
Again, buy cheap,buy twice

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I think your tank is to deep for that light to work for LPS. I have the same light that I used for a couple months on a tank that was a similar depth. It didn't cut it. If I were you I would invest a little more money on a better light. If you like the slim fixtures maybe look into a t5 fixture

 

[BitFix]

I think your tank is to deep for that light to work for LPS. I have the same light that I used for a couple months on a tank that was a similar depth. It didn't cut it. If I were you I would invest a little more money on a better light. If you like the slim fixtures maybe look into a t5 fixture

The only problem is that I don't live in the USA, so those types of light, like T5 fixture and metal halide are very rare and expensive where I live, but I will be traveling there in the beginning of next year, so I thought about buying one while I was there. Also where I live is really hot, so I would prefer a LED light, since these produce much less heat.

 

[BitFix]

That’s what you say now, but.... the sps bug WILL bite so might as well get lights that you can use in the future now!
Again, buy cheap,buy twice

I guees you're right, do you have any recommendations that are good but aren't gonna make me sell my house?

 

[Dpate]

Yes, if it’s a 25 gal nano, my preference would be an AI 26

 

[BitFix]

Yes, if it’s a 25 gal nano, my preference would be an AI 26

I've heard great things about the AI Prime HD+, do you think it would be ok?

 

[Dpate]

How wide is the tank?

 

[BitFix]

How wide is the tank?

About 23 inches

 

[Dpate]

The prime has a usable spread of about 18x18 in, the 26 will cover 24x24, get the 26 ( but then you also have to buy mounting hardware with both)

 

[Dpate]

Just so you know, I’m running an aquatic life hybrid fixture with a radion gen four and two coral plus and two actinics on a 24x24x24 cube and here are the results!

 

[Dpate]

And no, I don’t want to hear from the Tang Police!

 

[DesertReefT4r]

Buy cheap= buy twice!

While I am totally guilty of this I totally agree. You will either need to replace due to failure or upgrading. Check out Reef Breeders Photon V2+. I would do a black box LED before I did a Current USA LED for a reef tank. Another option is vuying a used light. I have seen Gen 2 Radions for $200.