Orbit Marine IC LED Vs. AI Prime HD

[Qasim]

Hello,

I have a tank 100x60x60 cm tank and I want to buy LED for my tank which one do you suggest? as from the Subject my budget is for the following:

1 AI Prime HD with the fix mount this covers 24"x24" = 255 USD + 8 USD/lbs shipping to my country
or
1 36"-48" Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED = 218 USD + 8 USD/lbs shipping to my country

any one of the above products I will be buying one item which one would you suggest?

I will be keeping fish only for a good long time might switch to corals depending on my budget water quality and other beneficial stuff in my tank.


I would like to get your opinion and suggestion in this regard


Thanks

 

[GoVols]

I go with the Current USA.

The (1) prime is way too small for your 39" long tank.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I just got the current ic for my daughters Fowler tank and I am pretty impressed so far. I also got their powerheads that works off the same loop controller.
Great features for a budget priced set up.
I have ecotech radion lights and vortech on my reef tank and seeing I got the whole set up (controller lights and powerhead) for less than one of my Radions.
We really like the cloud and storm effects better on the current, although we do realize that is more for our enjoyment more than beneficial to the tank.
Don't know if one will be enough for corals. You might need to get 2 of the units for that size tank. The mounts are set up for 2 and the coverage would be much better.
Although that would blow your price point basis. That's usually how it winds up in this hobby for me anyway.
Just my opinion. Hope it helps.

 

[GoVols]

@smokin'reefer
Did your daughters light come with the Pro Ramp timer?

 

[smokin'reefer]

No. The IC set up has the new Loop timer controller. Everything is integrated. Lights, wave pumps and if you want the return. We haven't had the power out reset issue with the old current. Matter of fact, our power went out for a spell Friday night and program stayed good.

 

[GoVols]

No. The IC set up has the new Loop timer controller. Everything is integrated. Lights, wave pumps and if you want the return. We haven't had the power out reset issue with the old current. Matter of fact, our power went out for a spell Friday night and program stayed good.

Does the new loop controller have the ramp up and ramp down like the old Pro controller?

 

[smokin'reefer]

I believe so but haven't done much myself but get her a basic schedule up and running. It's not very user friendly so far but I might have to break down and actually read the instructions to fine tune it.
I'm trying to let her explore it some more but it will probably be left up to me.
We are still cycling tank so it is still pretty new to us.

 

[GoVols]

I believe so but haven't done much myself but get her a basic schedule up and running. It's not very user friendly so far but I might have to break down and actually read the instructions to fine tune it.
I'm trying to let her explore it some more but it will probably be left up to me.
We are still cycling tank so it is still pretty new to us.

If it ramps down to get the sunset effect then it's a nice feature but your daughter may not give a hoot.

I used to run the Orbit Marine Pro and you get a lot for the money.

 

[smokin'reefer]

I'm out of town right now, but here's a couple of pics with the light on our Reefer 350.

Water is a little cloudy on that last one but hopefully the OP can get the idea of what the light is. Nothing fancy on settings. Like I say, still trying to figure it out. Come to think of it, it took me quite a while to learn the reeflink for my Radions.

 

[smokin'reefer]

If it ramps down to get the sunset effect then it's a nice feature but your daughter may not give a hoot.

I used to run the Orbit Marine Pro and you get a lot for the money.

That was my initial reaction. I just have to learn how to use it. Its supposed to be Bluetooth enabled with an app that might make it easier.
Your right, Daughter probably won't hoot til I figure it out for her. Lol

 

[Qasim]

Thank you guys for the information and opinions, I think I will go with the Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED in the future if needed for corals I will purchase a prime or another IC LED.

Below is my tank in its 2nd week of cycle but still no lights yet.

I have one more question does the Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED work with 220-240v outlets?

 

[smokin'reefer]

Mine is standard 110 American style.
Nice tank, btw. Love to see it lit up.

 

[smokin'reefer]

Next time I'm home, I'll check the light with my par meter. That'll let us both know if one is strong enough for corals. Mine is a little larger tank is the main reason I am doubling up. It will give me more wide spread coverage.

 

[Qasim]

Im trying to buy it from Marine Depot however they dont seem to be much of help, they divert me to the manufacturer who doesnt respond at all. I think I will buy an AI Prime HD for a while like a year maybe then if I had enough money I will buy another and with two I will cover the tank hopefully.

If not could you suggest me a reliable place other than Marine Depot that I can get the Orbit Marine and with people who can actually answer and ship well. They cancelled my order without letting me know

 

[smokin'reefer]

I got mine from my lfs. You might try Drs Foster and Smith. I don't think Bulk Reef Supply has them. Those are my go to places over here. That overseas thing makes it tricky. Good luck.

 

[Qasim]

Thank you very much, I will have to see and find out what to choose, one side of me says Orbit Marine the other says AI Prime HD, Although I will be doing a FOWLER tank I think it will be good to have the Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED 36"-48" one. These people just told me that I should not pay the way I did they expect me to pay via Paypal which Im waiting for the refund to come back to my account then start the whole thing again.

 

[GoVols]

@Qasim
You have a beautiful setup, really nice.

 

[Qasim]

@Qasim
You have a beautiful setup, really nice.

Thank you very much although I have a feeling the amount of rock is not enough but hopefully it should do as I will not be adding too many fish. I have around ~58 lbs of dry puckani rock.

 

[Qasim]

I have just reordered the Orbit Marine IC LED as I will not be doing corals for a good long time I think it should do the job just fine for me if I decided I will either add a new one of the same light or buy an AI Prime HD or whatever new come out by the time of decision to grow soft and some easy corals Im not planning on having the hard corals as they require too much maintenance and dosing etc. from what I read online

 

[Qasim]

Yeeey I have got my LED light orbit marine ic led attached is the coverage of the light to aquarium in the future I might add an extra but maybe a year or two years later. But I like it so far.

Now the question is should I keep it running or turn it off?