Current Orbit Marine led 36" and corals/anenome

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

Hi all,
I've read through numerous threads to try and figure this out.
i already have this light, it is on my 50 gal 20" deep tank. I have 2-3" sandbed and also have my rock structure going up about 4" from the top. the light also sits only 2-3 inches above the water.
My question is would I be able to keep any corals happy with this? and what about a bubble tip anemone?
I would love to have an anemone for the clowns and maybe just some mushrooms and zoas.

2nd question: if its not enough light, if i added a second of the same light would it be enough?

Thanks in advance!!!

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

here is what the manufacturer shows for par on a tank deeper then mine

USMC4Life · Aug 10, 2016

What's the output of the light ?

mcarroll · Aug 10, 2016

That's about 1000 lux at the bottom, so you should be good for ~~most~~ many corals.

Clams would not be happy without adding a second strip - even then placed higher in the tank than lower.

From reading, anemones (maybe depending on exactly what you have in mind) should do fine in the upper 1/3 or 1/4 of the tank. Trouble is telling them to stay put!

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

i have model 4102 36-48", actual length is around 36" on my 36" tank

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

So I think i will get a bubble tip and give it a shot, see where it makes its home and then add mushrooms and zoas from there. Its been awhile since ive had corals and anemone. Should i glue my rock so the anemone doesnt dislodge it while moving?
Thanks

mcarroll · Aug 10, 2016

I think he's more likely to help glue the rocks down.....they have close to zero mass of their own.

He is likely to drift around a bit, or even crawl into the rocks and hide before he fully acclimates and settles in.

Take a lux meter to the shop when you buy him so you know how much light he's been under recently. You can do your best to match that level with a spot in your aquarium. It's a good idea to do this with any photosynthetic animal. (It's not quite as important with frags as they seem to be more adaptable than mature colonies, but you might have other reasons for wanting to duplicate the light levels where you get them.

A handheld lux meter is cheap ($15, delivered) and preferred, but while you wait for one to ship, load a $free lux meter app onto your smartphone to get started. ("Galactica Luxmeter" for IOS, for example.)

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

Any idea how many lux are needed to keep the guy happy? Really don't want him to be unhappy and have to wait for a second light, or listen to my other half complain about buying "more fish crap" haha

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 10, 2016

Hi Double J. I have this light too. Is it the older version with no lenses on it like mine? The older dont provide a whole lot light esp on the bottom.
And Yea you might want to keep an eye out for a second one they are going for about $100 now or less on ebay and Ive seen them with the dual controller too. I got mine for 75 not long a go.
The nem will probably go for the top of the rock , if you get him there first thats a bonus.

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

Saltyfilmfolks, I believe I have a lens on it, I bought it from foster and smith about 6 months ago, seems bright but I have my tank in the basement so hard to say for sure. I was thinking of starting him mid way in the tank and using the acclimation mode on the light, should I go to the top? Thats about 6" from the light. I used the lux app, I was getting about 12k 4-5" from the light, but this wasn't in the water, moved the light, didn't want to fry the iPhone, haha. My tank is acrylic so it's open on top, which should help with the light going down. Really hoping if I get the nem it's enough light, really like the light, but to buy another seems kinda dumb, like I should've just got a better one to start, but that's what happens a lot in this hobby, at least for me

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 10, 2016

Is it this one?
http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...mpid=03cseYY&gclid=CKvcir-iuM4CFYNsfgodRt0Ebw

If so You should be fine. They added the lenses to penetratit better to the bottom of the tank. I haven't metered one mine is non pro but my guess is you should be fine. Personally I would probaly run that thing at full if your not already.
I think your right on most points. I personally wouldn't worry about a light acclimation mode for the BTA. Only because Nems are just so weird. It will do what it wants no matter what we think. Seems to me a guessing game. When I got mine it landed I a spot with plenty of light and flow. I gues it approved and never moved. When I moved tanks I gave it the same light and it wandered around split. Wandered some more. Landed. Wandered and went back to the first place.

So cover your Power heads.

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

So what exactly do you mean by cover the power heads? I have 2 hydor koralia 850gph pumps, is the factory guarding enough? They seem pretty tight, but not sure.thanks!

Double J · Aug 10, 2016

Also they are mounted up in the corners away from my rock formation.

Sir Chris · Aug 10, 2016

Double J said:
i have model 4102 36-48", actual length is around 36" on my 36" tank

I'm lookn for an LED mod or strip for 75g. Is it tunable and r u happy

Darryl · Aug 10, 2016

2 would be ideal!

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 11, 2016

Agreed two would blast it and grow High light animas well. And the royal blue is pretty great in the am and at night. I had 2 t5 with the old model on my 55 and It worked great too.

Look up anemone powerhead covers.many walk into the powerheads. Nems can will and do walk. And they are actuall faster than a turbo. Some use the coarse mesh sponges to cover I use plastic canvas.
My second nem did this. At 3 am. So maybe have some salt mixed just in case. I was lucky I did.

Double J · Aug 11, 2016

saltyfilmfolks, I have the regular marine light, not the pro. Mine has 36 watts. just ordered the nem from live aquaria, so might be looking for another light soon too, ohh well.

Double J · Aug 11, 2016

Lord Chris said:
I'm lookn for an LED mod or strip for 75g. Is it tunable and r u happy

you are supposed to be able to adjust the ratio and times, I havent really had time to figure it out and just use one of the presets. i do like the light, has some nice features, just wish it was a little brighter for corals.

saltyfilmfolks · Aug 11, 2016

Lol
It all about the upgrade

Start it center middle. I bet it hits the top of the rock and keep an eye on it.
I run mine on full tilt. Two hour blue ramp up one white to both full ten hours then back down. Yea it's 14 hrs but ten on full. Like a summer day.
on eBay That light used is pretty cheap since the new ones came out. Ive seen the dual controller there too.
Like a 125 upgrade till you have the cash to go bigger. FYI the SBreeflights is the same nice royal blue.

Double J · Aug 11, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
Is it this one?
http://m.drsfostersmith.com/product...mpid=03cseYY&gclid=CKvcir-iuM4CFYNsfgodRt0Ebw

If so You should be fine. They added the lenses to penetratit better to the bottom of the tank. I haven't metered one mine is non pro but my guess is you should be fine. Personally I would probaly run that thing at full if your not already.
I think your right on most points. I personally wouldn't worry about a light acclimation mode for the BTA. Only because Nems are just so weird. It will do what it wants no matter what we think. Seems to me a guessing game. When I got mine it landed I a spot with plenty of light and flow. I gues it approved and never moved. When I moved tanks I gave it the same light and it wandered around split. Wandered some more. Landed. Wandered and went back to the first place.
So cover your Power heads.