I have a pair of ORBIT MARINE IC PRO DUAL LED for my 75 gallon tank. It's about a year old and I have been taking my time about adding livestock. I have around 100 lbs of live rock in the tank and a clean up crew (I ordered the 50 Gallon "package" from TBS). I recently bought some coral from the Joe Knows Reefs sale last weekend. Are these lights strong enough for most coral? Should I get something else? Thanks in advance for the advice. Let me know if you need me to provide anything else in regards to the tank.
Enough lighting?
- Thread starter Jay York
- Start date
- Tagged users None
Abhishek
2500 Club Member
I have no experience with these lights so looping in #reefsquad .
What corals did you buy ? Any access to a PAR meter or even if you can rent one from BRS and such ?
Regards,
Abhishek
What corals did you buy ? Any access to a PAR meter or even if you can rent one from BRS and such ?
Regards,
Abhishek
Ron Reefman
Lets Go Snorkeling!
Reef Squad
Excellence Award
Reef Tank 365
Article Contributor
Tampa Bay Reef Keepers
MAC of SW Florida
I have a Current Orbit fixture. It will do in a pinch, but if I were you, I'd be looking for something stronger.
Current uses 0.5 watt leds which do NOT penetrate water well enough for tanks over 12" deep. I even quit using it over a 12" deep holding tank! Even their own website shows they only get PAR of 5 to 20 at 18" to 24" deep and that just isn't enough for most corals. IMHO you need at least 100 and more is better.
There are a lot of good led fixtures out there. From Mars Aqua black boxs at $100 to Eco Tech Radions at $750. And on a 75g tank you'll need two of either of these. If you want the multiple channel (more than 2) for different color leds and/or sunrise-sunset control like the Current fixture, your looking at $500+ to $650 for a 32" or 48" Reef Breeders Photon V2+. And that's the best value in a full feature fixture. Two Radions would be great, but that would be $1500.
Current uses 0.5 watt leds which do NOT penetrate water well enough for tanks over 12" deep. I even quit using it over a 12" deep holding tank! Even their own website shows they only get PAR of 5 to 20 at 18" to 24" deep and that just isn't enough for most corals. IMHO you need at least 100 and more is better.
There are a lot of good led fixtures out there. From Mars Aqua black boxs at $100 to Eco Tech Radions at $750. And on a 75g tank you'll need two of either of these. If you want the multiple channel (more than 2) for different color leds and/or sunrise-sunset control like the Current fixture, your looking at $500+ to $650 for a 32" or 48" Reef Breeders Photon V2+. And that's the best value in a full feature fixture. Two Radions would be great, but that would be $1500.
I found this info on Current's site for the ORBIT MARINE IC PRO DUAL LED,I have a Current Orbit fixture. It will do in a pinch, but if I were you, I'd be looking for something stronger.
Current uses 0.5 watt leds which do NOT penetrate water well enough for tanks over 12" deep. I even quit using it over a 12" deep holding tank! Even their own website shows they only get PAR of 5 to 20 at 18" to 24" deep and that just isn't enough for most corals. IMHO you need at least 100 and more is better.
There are a lot of good led fixtures out there. From Mars Aqua black boxs at $100 to Eco Tech Radions at $750. And on a 75g tank you'll need two of either of these. If you want the multiple channel (more than 2) for different color leds and/or sunrise-sunset control like the Current fixture, your looking at $500+ to $650 for a 32" or 48" Reef Breeders Photon V2+. And that's the best value in a full feature fixture. Two Radions would be great, but that would be $1500.
Does that seem right? If so...would that PAR be good enough for corals? I am going to try to keep them 15" in depth at the most. Thanks again for the advice.
I got:
Green Favia
Cosmic Wonderland Chalice
Cherry Watermelon Chalice
Incredible Hulk Lepto
Bizarro Cyphastrea
Superman Stylo
I don't have access to anything to measure PAR unless there is an iphone app?
MSB123
Someone out there put something smart here.
No. You need a PAR meter. They start at about $200 and good ones are ~$500
Vahanyos
Valuable Member
I used to use this light - it worked well for softies and LPS (Mushrooms, Euphyllia, Zoa's, etc..). You will definitely need something stronger for any specimen that demands "high" light. If I were to categorize these lights in Low, Medium, or High.... I would only rate them in the Low to Medium categories - regardless of how deep the tank is. This is just from my experience so someone might have a different experience, I don't know.
Also they don't really provide that much coverage as far as depth goes (from to back of tank). On a 15" depth tank (from front to back), I needed two to get good spread. I had the lights resting on the tank using the mounting brackets it comes with.
Also they don't really provide that much coverage as far as depth goes (from to back of tank). On a 15" depth tank (from front to back), I needed two to get good spread. I had the lights resting on the tank using the mounting brackets it comes with.
If it’s the new pros (with the circles /lenses on them) yes you’re fine Esp with two of them.
Look at the par specs on the website for an estimate they are pretty spot on. Yes just double the value.
@Sarah24! has em and is growing anything she wants.
The first versions (raw led not lenses , circles) are weak and two might do a low light tank but you’d have probs at 22 in fromthe light.
Look at the par specs on the website for an estimate they are pretty spot on. Yes just double the value.
@Sarah24! has em and is growing anything she wants.
The first versions (raw led not lenses , circles) are weak and two might do a low light tank but you’d have probs at 22 in fromthe light.
Sarah24!
2500 Club Member
Hello,
If you take a pic of them (lens side I can tell and or from the ramp timer etc). If you have the model version of 4117 you can grow anything, (these lights will run with radions all day long). My 240 is 34 inches tall 72 long and 24 deep and I run two of them. I used a ly-cor 1500 par meter which is considered a step above the apogee for some and others the same. I was averaging between 100-200 par on the sand bed with these lights. If you look st my main thread I even have a Maximus clam 24 inches down growing great now for a year. My tank is only 14 months old and grows coral like crazy (soft lps and sps).
If you have the new loop Ic version then those are more soft and lps. They will do some sps but need to be placed higher, and they will not grow clams. Any other light under these is only for soft or lps. Current usa beast light or super high end is the model 4117 (72 inch ) they Make them smaller also but different numbers etc, but same par and they all use 60 degree lens. @saltyfilmfolks wow thank you, that coming from you is like amazing lol, kinda speechless
. These pictures are a week old and correction my tank is 15 months old using two of the 4117 lights. I tried three and it was way way too much light. Two have been plenty on my 240. It should also be noted the two lights I have on my tank were given to me to beta test (before they were released). So the third one I have, I’m not sure if it’s the same etc, (looks etc but) according to current usa these lights should produce a min of par of 40-65 at 30. Even when I tested as a lab environment (yes with saltwater), they still easily produced 100-200 par 34 inches down. So if you have these ones, run the blues at 100 and whites maybe 40% I have mine at 33 half the week, and 40 the rest (seems) to work well. The newer ic loop lights, it would take 2-3 of the same light to equal one of these. They are definitely high end light and will grow anything.
Your tank is amazing! I will take a picture of the lights and post it here and hopefully you can help me identify them.Hello,
If you take a pic of them (lens side I can tell and or from the ramp timer etc). If you have the model version of 4117 you can grow anything, (these lights will run with radions all day long). My 240 is 34 inches tall 72 long and 24 deep and I run two of them. I used a ly-cor 1500 par meter which is considered a step above the apogee for some and others the same. I was averaging between 100-200 par on the sand bed with these lights. If you look st my main thread I even have a Maximus clam 24 inches down growing great now for a year. My tank is only 14 months old and grows coral like crazy (soft lps and sps).
If you have the new loop Ic version then those are more soft and lps. They will do some sps but need to be placed higher, and they will not grow clams. Any other light under these is only for soft or lps. Current usa beast light or super high end is the model 4117 (72 inch ) they Make them smaller also but different numbers etc, but same par and they all use 60 degree lens. @saltyfilmfolks wow thank you, that coming from you is like amazing lol, kinda speechless
These pictures are a week old and correction my tank is 15 months old using two of the 4117 lights. I tried three and it was way way too much light. Two have been plenty on my 240. It should also be noted the two lights I have on my tank were given to me to beta test (before they were released). So the third one I have, I’m not sure if it’s the same etc, (looks etc but) according to current usa these lights should produce a min of par of 40-65 at 30. Even when I tested as a lab environment (yes with saltwater), they still easily produced 100-200 par 34 inches down. So if you have these ones, run the blues at 100 and whites maybe 40% I have mine at 33 half the week, and 40 the rest (seems) to work well. The newer ic loop lights, it would take 2-3 of the same light to equal one of these. They are definitely high end light and will grow anything.
Yeah after searching, mine are the IC PRO not Marine Pro. This stinks...hopefully I can sell these to make a few bucks while I buy some good lights.Hello,
If you take a pic of them (lens side I can tell and or from the ramp timer etc). If you have the model version of 4117 you can grow anything, (these lights will run with radions all day long). My 240 is 34 inches tall 72 long and 24 deep and I run two of them. I used a ly-cor 1500 par meter which is considered a step above the apogee for some and others the same. I was averaging between 100-200 par on the sand bed with these lights. If you look st my main thread I even have a Maximus clam 24 inches down growing great now for a year. My tank is only 14 months old and grows coral like crazy (soft lps and sps).
If you have the new loop Ic version then those are more soft and lps. They will do some sps but need to be placed higher, and they will not grow clams. Any other light under these is only for soft or lps. Current usa beast light or super high end is the model 4117 (72 inch ) they Make them smaller also but different numbers etc, but same par and they all use 60 degree lens. @saltyfilmfolks wow thank you, that coming from you is like amazing lol, kinda speechless
These pictures are a week old and correction my tank is 15 months old using two of the 4117 lights. I tried three and it was way way too much light. Two have been plenty on my 240. It should also be noted the two lights I have on my tank were given to me to beta test (before they were released). So the third one I have, I’m not sure if it’s the same etc, (looks etc but) according to current usa these lights should produce a min of par of 40-65 at 30. Even when I tested as a lab environment (yes with saltwater), they still easily produced 100-200 par 34 inches down. So if you have these ones, run the blues at 100 and whites maybe 40% I have mine at 33 half the week, and 40 the rest (seems) to work well. The newer ic loop lights, it would take 2-3 of the same light to equal one of these. They are definitely high end light and will grow anything.
I think it’s the IC pros you want.
Also the later version of Marine pro(has circles on the lenses) the non pro is the rectangular leds only.
Sarah24!
2500 Club Member
Hello,
In terms of lights @saltyfilmfolks is correct the ic loop dual lights are the new pro. Other than the ones I have, those are the strongest ones they offer. Now I can’t confirm or prove this but speaking with two different techs at current they are releasing a newer pro which is suppose to be even higher end than what I have and incorporate the loop system and Bluetooth systems.
What size tank do you have and what are you trying to have in it would also help. (I read most of this thread not sure if I missed that info).
Here are a few pictures of my lights, sorry for the quality I had to use my phone. Con you confirm these are not the lights you have?Hello,
If you take a pic of them (lens side I can tell and or from the ramp timer etc). If you have the model version of 4117 you can grow anything, (these lights will run with radions all day long). My 240 is 34 inches tall 72 long and 24 deep and I run two of them. I used a ly-cor 1500 par meter which is considered a step above the apogee for some and others the same. I was averaging between 100-200 par on the sand bed with these lights. If you look st my main thread I even have a Maximus clam 24 inches down growing great now for a year. My tank is only 14 months old and grows coral like crazy (soft lps and sps).
If you have the new loop Ic version then those are more soft and lps. They will do some sps but need to be placed higher, and they will not grow clams. Any other light under these is only for soft or lps. Current usa beast light or super high end is the model 4117 (72 inch ) they Make them smaller also but different numbers etc, but same par and they all use 60 degree lens. @saltyfilmfolks wow thank you, that coming from you is like amazing lol, kinda speechless
These pictures are a week old and correction my tank is 15 months old using two of the 4117 lights. I tried three and it was way way too much light. Two have been plenty on my 240. It should also be noted the two lights I have on my tank were given to me to beta test (before they were released). So the third one I have, I’m not sure if it’s the same etc, (looks etc but) according to current usa these lights should produce a min of par of 40-65 at 30. Even when I tested as a lab environment (yes with saltwater), they still easily produced 100-200 par 34 inches down. So if you have these ones, run the blues at 100 and whites maybe 40% I have mine at 33 half the week, and 40 the rest (seems) to work well. The newer ic loop lights, it would take 2-3 of the same light to equal one of these. They are definitely high end light and will grow anything.
I have a 75 gallon tank and would like the ability to grow all kinds of coral. I haven’t really decided which kind I would like to have but the ability to have any would be ideal.
