Hello
I’m glad you have taking the plung into to salt water yay. I do recommend the current usa ic loop lights. Ehh as I say this and in a good way don’t throw a salt shaker at me
. These lights are really good, but you have to know their limits which is also why you should absolutely read
@120reefkeeper thread.
Current usa is an amazing company and (being fair so is kessill Ecotech, mitras, sb etc). I picked current mainly because of well two reasons first I have had tremendous succcess with their orbit marine pro. (The one I have is a step above yours and sadly they don’t make it any more either) and two and on going their customer service is just soooooooooooo awesome.
So now if I know what you have in mind for coral I can help direct where to start down the right path. Current usa is one of the few companies that is Still old school. Meaning as soon as you give them a tracking number, they just send a replacement. In my experience lol they usually overnight it or like 2 days or if I’m not in a hurry three days. They are also one who if your light breaks and they don’t make it any more you get the upgraded light per their policy. But their lights don’t ever break (well for me that is). So their customer service is really what made me drink the milk.
In regards to these lights they will have less shadow effect than standard puck style lights. Another nice feature is they sit on top of your tank and that’s awesome. The idea of my light falling into the tank terrifies me, so I don’t hang them lol. Also they are one of the few who if your light is wet is actually water resistant to like three feet I think. In addition though I have had friends and even my lfs where the lights did fall in and went to the death yard. Even then current replaced them which is awesome.
I won’t lie these lights are a beginner to intermediate style light. Current has even spoken to me and said that they do not strongly recommend sps corals. If so you have to place high up in the tank and even then 50/50 gamble. Now I have seen them absolutely grow sps like no other, and the corals look amazing. But they are very strategicly placed as well and have a perfect ecosystem for it to work.
As far as lps and softies go with them, the sky is the limit and they do very well. They are also much easier to use than other lights I have beta tested. Their new Bluetooth device makes them smart phone savoy. Sorry I’m learning that still (no not the Bluetooth device lol the Smart phone). Their loop system is actually pretty sweet and easy. But with my systems it’s been awesome and love it, but gets very very complex running full loop past the normal two or three wave makers and 1 return and set of lights (which mine won’t even connect to).
One other aspect is if you upgrade your tank or dive into sps. If that does happen you could probably work something out with current to upgrade to their newer better light. I can’t say they will for sure etc or if they will in the future even for me, but they always say they will. So far they have always kept their promise also. Yes there is a cost involved but pretty small compared to Ecotech and others actually it’s maybe a 1/3 or the cost roughly.
But I love their lights I love their wave makers and return pumps. They are very very under rated and their quality is excellent. To be fair I’m sure they have had defective units but every company does. I’m sure people have not enjoyed them but again what company has not? These lights are designed for people exactly in your shoes. They make reefing a little easier, not super complex and still strong enough to be dangerous but nothing like the 60 degree marine pros or the mitras ghl 7200 or kessills 700s etc.
If you need more help please feel free to ask me I’m here to help.
Cheers
Sarah
