CURRENT USA ORBIT LED Lighting 48" OK for LPS Corals?

BadgeNC · 04/07/2015, 08:17 AM

I'm new to marine tanks and am starting with a 60 Gal (48X13x24) tank and am interested in LPS corals. Will a single one of these lights be sufficient?

Are there better or cheaper options I should consider? Any recommendations and/or advice are welcome!

Clowny88 · 04/07/2015, 08:34 AM

Following.... I've looked into these too and I have been doing a lot of research.

If I had to guess based on what I've read, LPS and especially SPS might need a little supplement.

I am planning on buying one of these... But I also plan on utilizing at least one of my two T5's in addition.

GT3000XX · 04/07/2015, 08:35 AM

Check out this company. Much more bang for the buck and they also have a very similar ramp timer.

http://www.21ledusa.com/

SaltwaterAq · 04/07/2015, 09:33 AM

Current USA is coming out with an Orbit Pro any day that is a second generation of these lights and can grow anything.

Clowny88 · 04/07/2015, 10:30 PM

Well guys, I just ordered a strip off of that site... So I'll let you know how that turns out. (Fingers crossed)

BadgeNC · 04/08/2015, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clowny88

Well guys, I just ordered a strip off of that site... So I'll let you know how that turns out. (Fingers crossed)

Which one did you go with? What size tank do you have? Those seem like a pretty good value, but not sure how they will work. Please let us know.

Bpb · 04/08/2015, 07:52 AM

I'd be just as skeptical of the orbit pro as I am of the standard orbit. While I know watts aren't the only measure of led usability, the orbit pro only uses 0.5 watt diodes. Granted it may be an improvement over the 0.1-0.25 watt diodes in the standard orbit, I have doubts it'll be able to supply the 400+ par necessary to coax out the best color, PE, and growth of acropora. Even at full strength. I realize the units using 3-5 watt diodes are dimmed quite a bit...most people don't run them at 16% power (or 0.5 watts per diode), even in acclimation mode. The colors and blending may be ok I just don't know that I'd trust the power. Especially not at $300+ per 48" strip. You can get a Buildmyled strip that size, using high end Philips rebel and Luxeon diodes, handmade in Austin Texas for cheaper than that

Clowny88 · 04/08/2015, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadgeNC

Which one did you go with? What size tank do you have? Those seem like a pretty good value, but not sure how they will work. Please let us know.

I actually called and asked for recommendation. In have a 4 foot 75 gal. I was looking at doing the combo pack but he recommended a 4 foot ReefBar Pro... A little less cost actually... With the Sunsetter controller. The combos are 4x the regular Reefbars but not as high quality.

I have only xenia, GSP, and a couple zoas in my tank currently, no LPS or SPS. I figured I'll see how I like this one then add another bar when I'm ready to move up to LPS/SPS.

The nice thing is that its small and inexpensive enough that if I don't like it, I'll just use it to complement something different.

MuscleFish · 04/08/2015, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SaltwaterAq

Current USA is coming out with an Orbit Pro any day that is a second generation of these lights and can grow anything.

Anything? With 120W for 48' fixture? Don't think so...

Bpb · 04/08/2015, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MuscleFish

Anything? With 120W for 48' fixture? Don't think so...

Oh if only. The 48" model actually has 120 LEDS. The power consumption is only 67 watts. Meaning just a hair over 0.5 watts per diode. The price point is all wrong considering what is available with the competition.

http://current-usa.com/aquarium-led-...it-marine-pro/

Specs

schryvertime · 04/09/2015, 10:29 AM

I have the current orbit 48" for over 4 months now. It is doing great for LPS and softies. I am still new to having a reef tank and will stay away from SPS for a while (when i do go to SPS corals i will upgrade). Either way, my zoas, florida ric, GSP, are all doing great, good color and are growing like crazy. I did lots of research before buying this and this is what it came down to for me. People that had this light had success with softies and LPS. People that dont have the light or only tried it for a day say it is a terrible light. I like this light and it provides what i wanted and needed without breaking the bank. I would recommend it for anyone who is satisfied with softies and LPS'

BadgeNC · 04/09/2015, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schryvertime

I have the current orbit 48" for over 4 months now. It is doing great for LPS and softies. I am still new to having a reef tank and will stay away from SPS for a while (when i do go to SPS corals i will upgrade). Either way, my zoas, florida ric, GSP, are all doing great, good color and are growing like crazy. I did lots of research before buying this and this is what it came down to for me. People that had this light had success with softies and LPS. People that dont have the light or only tried it for a day say it is a terrible light. I like this light and it provides what i wanted and needed without breaking the bank. I would recommend it for anyone who is satisfied with softies and LPS'

What size tank do you have? Do you have a single 48"?

schryvertime · 04/09/2015, 10:55 AM

i have a 60g tank and yes just a single 48" i have toyed with the idea of adding another but if i do that ill just upgrade it completely and start adding sps. but like i said im a while away from that. like a year or so. i want to learn the easy stuff first.

schryvertime · 04/09/2015, 11:01 AM

48-60"

Mael · 04/09/2015, 12:22 PM

Im ordering a couple bars from 21led tomorrow as well, after comparing them to the chinese programmable ones and other name brand units over the last few months it is definitely the best value for the $, Ill be getting two 48" pro full spectrum bars and the ramp timer.

scottch · 04/09/2015, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mael

Im ordering a couple bars from 21led tomorrow as well, after comparing them to the chinese programmable ones and other name brand units over the last few months it is definitely the best value for the $, Ill be getting two 48" pro full spectrum bars and the ramp timer.

Good luck!

I havent had very good luck with them and wish i would have bought something else.

They get SUPER hot and melted the power supply one one light. They chew through those dimmer switches at about the rate of 1 per month due to heat. And since i've been using them (i have 1 'full spectrum' and 1 50/50) my zoa growth has stunted almost completely.

Mael · 04/10/2015, 01:58 PM

interesting, Ill be using their ramp timer with it, no dimmer knobs as that would defeat the purpose of going programmable but the odd part is one of the things they advertise with the Pro Bars is the lack of heat, were you runing yours at 100%? not sure how the dimmer would get hot since it isnt directly attached to the light itself, connected by wire.

GT3000XX · 04/10/2015, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottch

Good luck!

I havent had very good luck with them and wish i would have bought something else.

They get SUPER hot and melted the power supply one one light. They chew through those dimmer switches at about the rate of 1 per month due to heat. And since i've been using them (i have 1 'full spectrum' and 1 50/50) my zoa growth has stunted almost completely.

Not the case with mine. I have had them for 4 months without any issues.

I have 2 of the Reef Bar Pro 36" 50/50 with a Sunsetter timer for each. I have a FOWLR system so I can't comment on the zoa growth.

Mael · 04/10/2015, 04:25 PM

was there a particular reason you went with 2 sunsetters over 1 with a splitter to run both bars off 1 ramp timer? Running two different schedules?

GT3000XX · 04/10/2015, 04:37 PM

Each ReefPro fixture has 2 lines in my case one for blue one for white. The Sunsetter then controls the blue independently from the white. Also I believe there is a maximum wattage the Sunsetter can handle.

Quote:

" These were designed to work flawlessly with our ReefBars and ReefBar Pro's which are all 12V and these will also function with 24V fixtures.

It is powerful enough to run both channels on a 4ft ReefBar Pro and can run up to 4 of the 4ft Reefbars (using correct splitters that we can provide)

Simply Plug and Play with all of our bars"

Mael · 04/10/2015, 05:30 PM

ah ok, it is the regular reef bars that can run 4 off one sunsetter, but that would make me think you could run 2 pro's even though thats not how it was stated on their site, if you had a splitter on both channel wires coming from the setter, the queston is whether it can handle the power like you said, both regular and pro bars are 12v....I need to shoot them an email.

04/07/2015, 08:17 AM	#1
BadgeNC Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 87	CURRENT USA ORBIT LED Lighting 48" OK for LPS Corals? I'm new to marine tanks and am starting with a 60 Gal (48X13x24) tank and am interested in LPS corals. Will a single one of these lights be sufficient? Are there better or cheaper options I should consider? Any recommendations and/or advice are welcome!

04/07/2015, 09:33 AM	#4
SaltwaterAq RC Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 140	Current USA is coming out with an Orbit Pro any day that is a second generation of these lights and can grow anything. __________________ Shop Now! SaltwaterAquarium.com Phone 888-700-1012 - Text 717.408.8337

04/10/2015, 01:58 PM	#17
Mael Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,351	interesting, Ill be using their ramp timer with it, no dimmer knobs as that would defeat the purpose of going programmable but the odd part is one of the things they advertise with the Pro Bars is the lack of heat, were you runing yours at 100%? not sure how the dimmer would get hot since it isnt directly attached to the light itself, connected by wire. Last edited by Mael; 04/10/2015 at 02:04 PM.

04/07/2015, 08:34 AM	#2
Clowny88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: N. Illinois Posts: 270	Following.... I've looked into these too and I have been doing a lot of research. If I had to guess based on what I've read, LPS and especially SPS might need a little supplement. I am planning on buying one of these... But I also plan on utilizing at least one of my two T5's in addition.

04/07/2015, 08:35 AM	#3
GT3000XX Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 300	Check out this company. Much more bang for the buck and they also have a very similar ramp timer. http://www.21ledusa.com/

04/07/2015, 10:30 PM	#5
Clowny88 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: N. Illinois Posts: 270	Well guys, I just ordered a strip off of that site... So I'll let you know how that turns out. (Fingers crossed)

04/08/2015, 07:52 AM	#7
Bpb Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Texas Posts: 3,148	I'd be just as skeptical of the orbit pro as I am of the standard orbit. While I know watts aren't the only measure of led usability, the orbit pro only uses 0.5 watt diodes. Granted it may be an improvement over the 0.1-0.25 watt diodes in the standard orbit, I have doubts it'll be able to supply the 400+ par necessary to coax out the best color, PE, and growth of acropora. Even at full strength. I realize the units using 3-5 watt diodes are dimmed quite a bit...most people don't run them at 16% power (or 0.5 watts per diode), even in acclimation mode. The colors and blending may be ok I just don't know that I'd trust the power. Especially not at $300+ per 48" strip. You can get a Buildmyled strip that size, using high end Philips rebel and Luxeon diodes, handmade in Austin Texas for cheaper than that

04/09/2015, 10:29 AM	#11
schryvertime Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 176	I have the current orbit 48" for over 4 months now. It is doing great for LPS and softies. I am still new to having a reef tank and will stay away from SPS for a while (when i do go to SPS corals i will upgrade). Either way, my zoas, florida ric, GSP, are all doing great, good color and are growing like crazy. I did lots of research before buying this and this is what it came down to for me. People that had this light had success with softies and LPS. People that dont have the light or only tried it for a day say it is a terrible light. I like this light and it provides what i wanted and needed without breaking the bank. I would recommend it for anyone who is satisfied with softies and LPS'

04/09/2015, 10:55 AM	#13
schryvertime Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 176	i have a 60g tank and yes just a single 48" i have toyed with the idea of adding another but if i do that ill just upgrade it completely and start adding sps. but like i said im a while away from that. like a year or so. i want to learn the easy stuff first.

04/09/2015, 11:01 AM	#14
schryvertime Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 176	48-60"

04/09/2015, 12:22 PM	#15
Mael Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,351	Im ordering a couple bars from 21led tomorrow as well, after comparing them to the chinese programmable ones and other name brand units over the last few months it is definitely the best value for the $, Ill be getting two 48" pro full spectrum bars and the ramp timer.

04/10/2015, 04:25 PM	#19
Mael Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,351	was there a particular reason you went with 2 sunsetters over 1 with a splitter to run both bars off 1 ramp timer? Running two different schedules?

04/10/2015, 05:30 PM	#21
Mael Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,351	ah ok, it is the regular reef bars that can run 4 off one sunsetter, but that would make me think you could run 2 pro's even though thats not how it was stated on their site, if you had a splitter on both channel wires coming from the setter, the queston is whether it can handle the power like you said, both regular and pro bars are 12v....I need to shoot them an email.