sb 32" timer reef light vs current orbit marine pro

[waynemonts]

I have a 30 gal long tank -dimensions are 36 long, 16 deep and 12 wide. never had corals, fish only tank, but I'm interested in starting corals that are easy to maintain. I'm interested in one of the 2 lights. The sb 32" w/timer reef light or the current orbit marine pro light 4112. Which one would be the best for my setup?

 

[mcarroll]

For a rectangular tank like yours, I don't like the hot-spot you get from the SB-style lights with almost no light out on the edges. It's possible you could work around it, but why have to do that?

Lights like the Orbit Pro were made for long tanks like that, and the Orbit Marine Pro 4112 should be a great fit, IMO.

Do you think you'll use the feet or suspend it off the tank?

 

[waynemonts]

No. I don't want hit spots or shadowing in my tank. That's why I easy considering the 32 inch sb light. I'm planning on using the supplied legs to mount to the tank. No way to suspend them. I just didn't know which was better light for what I was looking for.

 

[mcarroll]

I think all the way around, for your tank, the Orbit Pro is the the ticket.

It has 60º lenses, so with (I'm guessing) only about 4" of space between the emitters and water for spread, you'll have just about perfect coverage.

The top edges (front and back) might be just a little dark, but you might never notice that, because of how good the spread is from side-to-side.

If you decided to make a way to hang it someday, I think you might light the results anywhere up to around 8" off the water.

 

[waynemonts]

That sounds good I really like it. That helps alot thanks. I'm sure if I feel like I need to hang it then I can figure out a way.

 

[Duke4Life]

The orbit pro is useless on a tank over a foot tall, the light gets to the bottom but lacks the power.

 

[waynemonts]

The orbit pro is useless on a tank over a foot tall, the light gets to the bottom but lacks the power.

What is your opinion on a light then? I know the orbit is only a 52 watt and the sb is like 360.

 

[Duke4Life]

I've got a 6ft 125g, 18 inches tall. Have a 36 inch orbit pro (Xmas present) and a 24 inch quad t5. Both were tested with a par meter on 1 side (wanted every factor the same when tested), the t5s have more than enough juice but at 12.5-13 inches from surface we got 0 for a reading on the orbit, both blue and white were ramped to 100%. I thought the meter was broke until we switched and tested same spot with my t5s. The bottom appears to have enough light but not the power we need. @reefwiser tested this, not someone inexperienced.

 

[waynemonts]

Ok so you would not recommend leds? Right now I have an old current light that's 36" long. It's a 4 square pin fluorescent that's has two bulbs made into one. You can buy what's called a 50/50 bulb for those. That would be one blue and one 10k white. What do you think about that?

 

[Duke4Life]

Ok so you would not recommend leds? Right now I have an old current light that's 36" long. It's a 4 square pin fluorescent that's has two bulbs made into one. You can buy what's called a 50/50 bulb for those. That would be one blue and one 10k white. What do you think about that?

I don't like giving advice on equipment I've never touched. LEDs you get what you pay for it seems kinda, I'd go ecotech radions or kessils if money isn't an issue. I love LEDs because most have features that probably isn't done with bulb fixtures. I have gsp 8 inches from the orbit doing great but had to move some common mushrooms that were on bottom. I do love my t5s as well.

 

[waynemonts]

I don't like giving advice on equipment I've never touched. LEDs you get what you pay for it seems kinda, I'd go ecotech radions or kessils if money isn't an issue. I love LEDs because most have features that probably isn't done with bulb fixtures. I have gsp 8 inches from the orbit doing great but had to move some common mushrooms that were on bottom. I do love my t5s as well.

Yeah I really can't drop 5 to 6 hundred on lights. I really don't think for me wanting to try a few easy to maintain corals out, it is worth me spending that much.

 

[Duke4Life]

Yeah I really can't drop 5 to 6 hundred on lights. I really don't think for me wanting to try a few easy to maintain corals out, it is worth me spending that much.

Then go with this, stuff will do ok, just keep things that need lots of light up high. You sound like me, now I'm tired of looking at blank rocks and addicted lol

 

[Duke4Life]

http://successfulreefkeeping.com/learn/about-corals/what-your-coral-needs/

This might help you along the way

 

[ReefQueen]

I have the orbit marine and hate it.i hate the color, and I hate that it sits directly over my tank making it hard to take my top off, and I hated programming it. I have my new sbreef light sitting on my table right now and I can't wait to get it up! The reviews are amazing and you can't beat the customer service! I tried emailing current usa once about why my lights didn't go on one morning and they never got back to me.

 

[Duke4Life]

I have the orbit marine and hate it.i hate the color, and I hate that it sits directly over my tank making it hard to take my top off, and I hated programming it. I have my new sbreef light sitting on my table right now and I can't wait to get it up! The reviews are amazing and you can't beat the customer service! I tried emailing current usa once about why my lights didn't go on one morning and they never got back to me.

The programming is a pita, better not unplug lol

 

[AlexStinson]

using the power compact light you currently have is probably your best choice for just 'trying out' keeping corals. If you are successful with that look into something higher priced. I run a kessil a360w on my 40b, and it doesn't really have dark spots on the sandbed (although it does in the top sides), you can also find them through amazon warehouse deals for a decent discount. I personally don't like any led's that are arranged across the entire fixture as they give a very strange multicolored shadow effect, that looks awful in pictures.

 

[waynemonts]

I have the orbit marine and hate it.i hate the color, and I hate that it sits directly over my tank making it hard to take my top off, and I hated programming it. I have my new sbreef light sitting on my table right now and I can't wait to get it up! The reviews are amazing and you can't beat the customer service! I tried emailing current usa once about why my lights didn't go on one morning and they never got back to me.

Thanks that's good to know. My first choice was the sb 32 pro

 

[waynemonts]

Then go with this, stuff will do ok, just keep things that need lots of light up high. You sound like me, now I'm tired of looking at blank rocks and addicted lol

Yeah I've had a fish tank for way too long. I need too add new things.

 

[mcarroll]

Maybe the controllers are the same or similar - I don't know why they have such similar names - but the "Orbit Marine" and "Orbit Marine Pro" are two different beasts.

• Different power
• Different lenses
• Different LEDs

I wish the Pro's had a Different Name.

Seems like this conflating of models comes up in every thread that mentions Orbit lights one way or the other.

The Marine Orbit Pro model the OP specified should do fine on the tank he has.

I do agree having the lights on the tank is not ideal...but you gotta do what you gotta do to get the ball rolling.

Starting on the tank doesn't preclude hanging the fixture in the future.

 

[mcarroll]

I have the orbit marine and hate it.i hate the color, and I hate that it sits directly over my tank making it hard to take my top off, and I hated programming it. I have my new sbreef light sitting on my table right now and I can't wait to get it up!

Wonder if you're leaving the fixture on your tank or if you're hanging your light somehow this time?