New LED light fixture Questions!

Zallman125 · 05/04/2014, 09:44 PM

I just got the USA orbit led lamp 48-60 inch for my 72 bow front got it for a great price under 200 bucks also the settings and remote for it is awesome!! But my main concern and question is will this lamp be sufficient for corals of any kind !?!?

whosurcaddie · 05/04/2014, 10:37 PM

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The LED's in that light are only .25 watts each. It wont have the par levels needed to keep corals. Good thing is you didn't give up a ton of cash for it. Orbit is really misleading its customers the way they advertise this light. Its a great fish only light with custom timing options and storms but its just not going to sustain corals let alone grow them.

There are plenty of LED options out there that aren't super expensive. One is Reef Breeders. They're Photon series has the same programmable features as the orbit with much better LED's.

When I first started in this hobby I was overwhelmed by what lighting I should choose. And of course I chose wrong the first time. Back then there were no LED options on the market. So its gotta be hard on a new hobbyist.

fishman393 · 05/04/2014, 11:01 PM

I am the same boat I'm new with a 93 cube tank I order two before reading a lot more. So when I get mine I'll be running it with my 4 bulb t5 until I can save for a better light down the road. The features and reviews I read said it would work then I read about the watts after I ordered. Oh well live and learn.

CrazyEyes · 05/04/2014, 11:47 PM

As Whosurcaddie, that light definitely isn't going to be enough for most corals. You might be able to get away with mushrooms. I'd seriously consider selling it to someone who is doing just a fish only setup. Save up and either buy a premade fixture or read, read and read about what works and build a light of your own.

whosurcaddie · 05/05/2014, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrazyEyes

As Whosurcaddie, that light definitely isn't going to be enough for most corals. You might be able to get away with mushrooms. I'd seriously consider selling it to someone who is doing just a fish only setup. Save up and either buy a premade fixture or read, read and read about what works and build a light of your own.

Yes mushrooms would definitely work I didn't think about that they can survive under almost any light.

MondoBongo · 05/05/2014, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whosurcaddie

When I first started in this hobby I was overwhelmed by what lighting I should choose. And of course I chose wrong the first time.

i chose wrong the first time (MH), the second time (cheap LED), but the third time (AI Vegas) was a charm.

live and learn.

05/04/2014, 09:44 PM	#1
Zallman125 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 129	New LED light fixture Questions! I just got the USA orbit led lamp 48-60 inch for my 72 bow front got it for a great price under 200 bucks also the settings and remote for it is awesome!! But my main concern and question is will this lamp be sufficient for corals of any kind !?!?

05/04/2014, 11:01 PM	#3
fishman393 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 89	I am the same boat I'm new with a 93 cube tank I order two before reading a lot more. So when I get mine I'll be running it with my 4 bulb t5 until I can save for a better light down the road. The features and reviews I read said it would work then I read about the watts after I ordered. Oh well live and learn. __________________ Using Tapatalk

05/04/2014, 11:47 PM	#4
CrazyEyes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 3,844	As Whosurcaddie, that light definitely isn't going to be enough for most corals. You might be able to get away with mushrooms. I'd seriously consider selling it to someone who is doing just a fish only setup. Save up and either buy a premade fixture or read, read and read about what works and build a light of your own. __________________ Gone Fishing.

05/04/2014, 10:37 PM	#2
whosurcaddie Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,354	Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. The LED's in that light are only .25 watts each. It wont have the par levels needed to keep corals. Good thing is you didn't give up a ton of cash for it. Orbit is really misleading its customers the way they advertise this light. Its a great fish only light with custom timing options and storms but its just not going to sustain corals let alone grow them. There are plenty of LED options out there that aren't super expensive. One is Reef Breeders. They're Photon series has the same programmable features as the orbit with much better LED's. When I first started in this hobby I was overwhelmed by what lighting I should choose. And of course I chose wrong the first time. Back then there were no LED options on the market. So its gotta be hard on a new hobbyist.