Current USA Orbit Lights...

Diddle822

Diddle822

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#1
#1
So I'm looking for input from people currently running Current USA lights I have an older version of the orbit marine and a new orbit marine IC loop light.

I'm currently running a 10hr schedule and the new light I have at like 80% white and 100% blue ... and 50% red / green. The old model is just blue / white so same thing 80% white 100% blue.

I'm looking for input from guys using and growing corals with these lights (LPS / Softies) I know they are a little weak for SPS. Since I'm just starting out I needs some easy to manage corals anyway.

any help is appreciated.
 
zombie

zombie

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
#2
From what I've heard you are lucky to grow gsp and mushrooms with those (though that was the older version not the new one). I would start with some deep water LPS and see if you have any luck and work your way up from there (sps is out of the question). If it doesn't work, sell it to someone who wants a FOWLR tank and buy a more powerful light.

You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
 
Diddle822

Diddle822

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#3
#3
With two of the new lights they have some pretty good Par ratings and one guy has a nice reef tank and he only runs them at like 40-50%

yeah no sps but I'm not ready for sps anyway
 
zombie

zombie

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#5
#5
Definitely better, but even low light lps will need to be within 12-16" of the surface I don't know of any coral that does well with less than 100 par. Duncan's and acans typically have a sweet spot around 100 and do better in sand. The torch varieties sit in the 150-200 as optimal, and your dos varieties are in the 300-400 optimal.

You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
 
Diddle822

Diddle822

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#6
#6
Well I have a 4 lamp t5 with 2 - 250w MH if the currents just can't handle it then I can use 1 current to accent light. But I do know some people that have some great reef tanks under the orbits.
 
zombie

zombie

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#9
#9
timnem70;675089 said:
And, if "just starting out" you shouldnt be worried about ANY corals yet.

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True...I wouldn't even bother with easy lps until the tank hits at least the 6 month mark and wouldn't expect any real growth until closer to the year mark.

You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
 
D

Dub_G

Copepod
M.A.S.C Club Member
#10
#10
I've got a 36g bowfront that I have an old Current LED along with a new Current Loop LED running the programmed day setting in both. My tank is about 14 months old. I've got mostly LPS and zoas. One of my first corals was a Duncan with 2 heads. It now has 11 heads. I have some very happy frogspawn and hammers. Some of the zoas have spread like crazy. Overall for my tank I'm very happy with the Current lights. When I upgrade my tank to start with SPS I know I'll need to upgrade the lights.

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Diddle822

Diddle822

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#11
#11
Thank you Dub G ... did you adjust the intensity at all? Are you running the pre programmed setting on the loop and what setting on the old model 1 2 3 or 4?

glad to know I'll get good growth with the lights. I knew a lot of people used them and loved them for everything but sps
 
D

Dub_G

Copepod
M.A.S.C Club Member
#12
#12
No, I just use Program 1 on the older Current and the pre-programmed setting on the Loop.

When I started I just used the original setting and figured the company set them up to give my corals what they needed. My corals are happy so I can't complain.


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T

Tmwilson9

Copepod
#13
#13
I too have a 36 gallon bow front and have the old orbit marine lights. For the money I think they are great. The tank is less than an arm's length deep, so nothing too crazy. I bought a 3 headed hammer spring of 2016 and it has at least triple the heads on it right now. It's really hit or miss with some of the corals as I have great success with my frogspawn and hammer, but not so much with torch (could be placement though) and I have a toadstool that is about the size of my head and continuing to grow. My plan is to upgrade to a bigger reefer next year and as the previous poster stated, I know I'll have to upgrade, but they do their job for the time being.
 
zombie

zombie

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#17
#17
admann99;676001 said:
love this thread, been trying to find some feedback on the currents. been looking at a bundle deal and waned to know what people thought of them. doing a 180g build will be mostly softies and a few choice lps. here is the bundle..
[video]https://www.marinedepot.com/Current_USA_LOOP_Marine_Bundle_LED_Light_Fixtures_ for_Aquariums-Current_USA-CU04300-FILTFILD-vi.html[/video]
Click to expand...
I wouldn't bother with that. For not much more (like $1200 to skys the limit) you could get an apex with apex ready pumps and lights and you would be a lot happier with the interface and quality.

You might be an engineer if...You have no life and can prove it mathematically.
 
A

admann99

Detritus
#18
#18
I have to say, after a lot of research and talking to people on a few different sites I will be going with reefbreeder lights. way better quality with a lot more options.
 
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