Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light
- Thread starter Stuart Willis
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wigshaker
New Member
I use mine on a shallow 12" deep tank, usually at around 60%-70% power, and I grow mixed corals including sps with no problem. I think the spectrum distribution could be better though.
Caseyoidae
Valuable Member
I have the 48 orbit ic with loop attached to my t5 fixture and it's okay I guess..Behind the times as far as programming goes. I don't really care about ramp up or down but there's no way to have them just come on 100 percent so I have to run them at zero percent for an hour and a half. Lol Customer service wasn't very helpful/ wouldn't answer my questions so I gave up on them after a couple weeks. The app requires a separate bluetooth controller but the app itself still is not out. We've been waiting a while now and began to move on.. Most companies now a days have this built in. Ramp up and down has noticeable flickering if done in a shorter period. Guess it depends on what you're lighting. legs are a little flimsy but it does look nice, very thin and makes tank look good overall. Low wattage probably better for low light corals. I feel this system will leave most reefers wanting more in a short period of time. For the money I'd go with something else, you're paying for bells and whistles on sub-par lights. 
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Fishboy&crazycatfishlady
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Looking into one myself! Here to just follow along. I planned to run the entire loop system
mcarroll
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For the money I'd go with something else, you're paying for bells and whistles on sub-par lights.
Considering they are one of the lower-priced fixtures on the market, that seems like empty criticism.
They are certainly not right for everyone though – I have yet to see a light that is.
I'm not sure why you would have purchased them, for example, since you had no interest in the controller. ???
The lights are not sub-par (they're not perfect either), but it does seem like you paid for bells and whistles you didn't need.
A set of TrueLumen Pro LED Strips seems like it could have been a better fit for you.
These are not sub par lights lol. I just started a tank with the 36” IC pro. i also put in the eflux wave pumps with them. It is a long and shallow tank (IM 30L) and i am focusing on LPS and softies.
For me, the lights have been great thus far. Really enjoy the controls and the system was straight forward to setup. I had a few questions for current and their support team got back to me right away which i appreciated.
The one piece of feedback i would have for current is that it is a bit confusing with the product names; the orbit, orbit pro, orbit dual, orbit IC, orbit IC pro. Important to understand which item you are buying as lots of online shops have the previous models available. A cheat sheet/table on their site would be helpful.
I cant comment on growth yet but the lights make the shallow tank look great sit nicely on top. Not having a big lighting system, or spillover, was a requirement for me.
From doing a month of research, i can honestly say that there is a ton of pressure to buy the best lights on the market. Do your research and get what meets your needs.
I will be getting a build thread going but will try to post a pic. Let me know if you have questions!
For me, the lights have been great thus far. Really enjoy the controls and the system was straight forward to setup. I had a few questions for current and their support team got back to me right away which i appreciated.
The one piece of feedback i would have for current is that it is a bit confusing with the product names; the orbit, orbit pro, orbit dual, orbit IC, orbit IC pro. Important to understand which item you are buying as lots of online shops have the previous models available. A cheat sheet/table on their site would be helpful.
I cant comment on growth yet but the lights make the shallow tank look great sit nicely on top. Not having a big lighting system, or spillover, was a requirement for me.
From doing a month of research, i can honestly say that there is a ton of pressure to buy the best lights on the market. Do your research and get what meets your needs.
I will be getting a build thread going but will try to post a pic. Let me know if you have questions!
Caseyoidae
Valuable Member
I did not actually purchase this light, it was given to me to try out and give my honest opinion on. I agree there's no perfect light but others at this price point certainly shine over these. Ask for an opinion, you may get some you do not agree with but hey, that's what makes forums great. Getting more than oneConsidering they are one of the lower-priced fixtures on the market, that seems like empty criticism.
They are certainly not right for everyone though – I have yet to see a light that is.
I'm not sure why you would have purchased them, for example, since you had no interest in the controller. ???
The lights are not sub-par (they're not perfect either), but it does seem like you paid for bells and whistles you didn't need.
A set of TrueLumen Pro LED Strips seems like it could have been a better fit for you.
happy reefing
Oceanwave45
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Hey there!! I think this light isn’t bad, I use it! However, I have a 24 inch deep tank and I had to buy some additional LEDs because the PAR is very low at the bottom of the tank! Some corals need a higher PAR then others! Just do your homework!
Have mine on a 29 tank as well and only use it at 60% blues and 40% whites. Pls and softies and chalice. All do well. I like the adjustability and to be able to set it and forget it. 2 1/2 years and no issues.
mcarroll
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Good point! Using a light meter would prevent A LOT of surprises folks have. A simple $10-20 lux meter like my "LX-1010B".
For what it's worth, Current does recommend multiples (x2) for a deep tank like that. Two Orbit IC units is referred to as the "IC Pro" now. That "Pro" configuration (two units) is what they recommend for >18" of coverage (either wide or deep).
Dsnakes
Knight Reefer
I run an 18" and 24" on my nuvo 20. I think they work well. The mount could use improvement, or maybe I need 2 mounts.. but my corals are happy. I have it hooked to 3 of the 660gph powerheads as well.
Sorry for all the pictures, but I figured they may help you get an idea of color/looks. I am happy with them.
Sorry for all the pictures, but I figured they may help you get an idea of color/looks. I am happy with them.
I run an 18" and 24" on my nuvo 20. I think they work well. The mount could use improvement, or maybe I need 2 mounts.. but my corals are happy. I have it hooked to 3 of the 660gph powerheads as well.
Sorry for all the pictures, but I figured they may help you get an idea of color/looks. I am happy with them.
Looks great! How are the sps doing?
Also, what is your light schedule? I am trying to figire mine out at the moment...
Dsnakes
Knight Reefer
SPS are doing well. Slight bit of shadowing on one that is angled. The schedule is whatever it came with out of the box. I just plugged it in and turned them on. It turns on at 7 and is probably ramped up in an hour or 2. Then ramps down at 6ish and blue/moonlight until midnight I think
We run a 24" regular marine orbit on my mom's nano. 13.5 fluval so it's very shallow. Even growing a frag of green slimer from our reef tank.
Beautiful tank! What are you running for light schedule?
