Current USA Orbit Extreme w/4 Lunar 48" 2x130 Watt

daginsu · 01/20/2010, 11:34 AM

I am somewhat new to the hobby and am starting a new 55 gal sw tank at home. I have the stand and the tank and am looking at getting the rest of the pieces before I start putting the sand, rock, and water in it.

I came across the Current USA Orbit Extreme w/4 Lunar 48" 2x130 Watt lights on a couple of Web sites listed for $179.99 (which is 50% of the regular $359 price). There doesn't seem to be much information out there on this particular Current USA light, but it seems it has been discontinued. Just curious if anyone has used this fixture and if I would be shooting myself in the foot by purchasing a discontinued item.

Any other fixtures out there in the less than $200 range that would work?

I will be starting the tank as a FOWLR, but will most likely end up with some soft corals and possibly LPS corals. I do not plan to do the SPS corals, at least not in the near future.

Also, I have been looking at the Eshopps PSK-75H protein skimmer. Any thoughts or comments on this piece?

daginsu · 01/21/2010, 07:25 AM

Bumping the post and also posting a link to more information on the light in case anyone is interesting in helping me

http://www.current-usa.com/files/Orbit.pdf

The one I am interested in is Model 1027 or configuration K on the illustration.

zachfishman · 01/21/2010, 08:36 AM

I have an older CurrentUSA PC fixture, 48" 2x65watts. I find that the light output from it is much more than you'd expect due to the quality of the reflector. It appears that this unit is built similarly. It currently lights my 120, which makes things pretty dim but I have no issue growing softies and LPS in the upper 1/2 of the tank.

I used to have it over a 55 reef, and grew tons of softies, LPS, and even some SPS towards the top of the tank. You'll be getting twice the light I had, this looks like a great system for your 55.

daginsu · 01/21/2010, 08:57 AM

Ok, thanks for the reply. I was thinking it would be plenty of light for my needs. One concern I have is the availability of those 130 watt CF bulbs as I think this is the only fixture that uses them, but I could be wrong.

I guess I could always get a couple of spares now in case I can't find them later

daginsu · 01/28/2010, 12:26 PM

I ordered and received this fixture earlier this week and it's pretty bright. It has 3 cords, 2 switches (for the 2 PC bulbs, the LEDs are always on), and a fan. I just got everything running last night and my water is still pretty cloudy, but hopefully it'll clear up in the next couple of days.

I'll try to post some pictures if I think of it. This is my first personal tank, so I'm starting to get excited and a bit apprehensive that I will come home with several inches of water on my floor

01/20/2010, 11:34 AM	#1
daginsu Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Current USA Orbit Extreme w/4 Lunar 48" 2x130 Watt I am somewhat new to the hobby and am starting a new 55 gal sw tank at home. I have the stand and the tank and am looking at getting the rest of the pieces before I start putting the sand, rock, and water in it. I came across the Current USA Orbit Extreme w/4 Lunar 48" 2x130 Watt lights on a couple of Web sites listed for $179.99 (which is 50% of the regular $359 price). There doesn't seem to be much information out there on this particular Current USA light, but it seems it has been discontinued. Just curious if anyone has used this fixture and if I would be shooting myself in the foot by purchasing a discontinued item. Any other fixtures out there in the less than $200 range that would work? I will be starting the tank as a FOWLR, but will most likely end up with some soft corals and possibly LPS corals. I do not plan to do the SPS corals, at least not in the near future. Also, I have been looking at the Eshopps PSK-75H protein skimmer. Any thoughts or comments on this piece?

01/21/2010, 08:36 AM	#3
zachfishman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: St Petersburg, FL Posts: 3,577	I have an older CurrentUSA PC fixture, 48" 2x65watts. I find that the light output from it is much more than you'd expect due to the quality of the reflector. It appears that this unit is built similarly. It currently lights my 120, which makes things pretty dim but I have no issue growing softies and LPS in the upper 1/2 of the tank. I used to have it over a 55 reef, and grew tons of softies, LPS, and even some SPS towards the top of the tank. You'll be getting twice the light I had, this looks like a great system for your 55. __________________ Patience is a reefer's best tool. Secret Xenia lover. M.S. Marine Biology Staff - Marine Discovery Center, St. Petersburg FL Tampa Bay Reef Club BOD 2018 Current Tank Info: 34g modded Solana

01/21/2010, 07:25 AM	#2
daginsu Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Bumping the post and also posting a link to more information on the light in case anyone is interesting in helping me http://www.current-usa.com/files/Orbit.pdf The one I am interested in is Model 1027 or configuration K on the illustration.

01/21/2010, 08:57 AM	#4
daginsu Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	Ok, thanks for the reply. I was thinking it would be plenty of light for my needs. One concern I have is the availability of those 130 watt CF bulbs as I think this is the only fixture that uses them, but I could be wrong. I guess I could always get a couple of spares now in case I can't find them later

01/28/2010, 12:26 PM	#5
daginsu Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 12	I ordered and received this fixture earlier this week and it's pretty bright. It has 3 cords, 2 switches (for the 2 PC bulbs, the LEDs are always on), and a fan. I just got everything running last night and my water is still pretty cloudy, but hopefully it'll clear up in the next couple of days. I'll try to post some pictures if I think of it. This is my first personal tank, so I'm starting to get excited and a bit apprehensive that I will come home with several inches of water on my floor