current uss orbit pro

[bws]

i have been trying to learn everything I can about led lights for the past week. I have came down to the current usa orbit pro or the ai prime x 2.. for my 72 gallon bow front reef. I have compared the 2 and the par values are very similar and they both claim they will support sps "which I probably will never have anyways but if I ever decide I want to try some I want a light that can do it".

I am wondering if anyone has any experience with this current orbit pro light, this is the higher end one with 68 watts for the 48 inch, not the cheaper one with 48 watts. one of my concerns is if its the right color spectrum I will want, I don't see where either of these say anything about being in the 10 k range or higher. maybe someone with more knowledge could help me out here please before I shell out close to 400 bucks for either of these 2 light systems. or maybe something all different. money is some what of an issue but I do want a nice light set up with leds. I thought of maybe even a diy system but that sounds like a lot or work and learning. I want something I can basicly plug n play

 

[Ron Reefman]

current orbit pro leds are still only 0.55 watts per led. 95% of the other led fixtures in this hobby use 3.0 watt leds. Any guess as to why that is?

At 24" deep the 0.55watt led will not penetrate anywhere near as well as a 3.0 watt led. I've tested a couple of these units with my PAR meter for fellow club members anf they are very lame. I'd never ever consider one. I'd go back to t5 before I'd buy one of these or a Marineland led (same less than 1 watt per led design).

At least the AI is 3 watts per led. I might question the 30" by 30" coverage. Their PAR of 260 is only directly under the fixture. At 24" deep the PAR out near the edges is almost zero!

Yes, both will support sps corals... at less than 12" deep in the case of the current orbit pro or directly centered under the AI at 24" deep.

You can do better than these with $400. Look at OceanRevive IT2081 or ReefBreeders Photon 32. Yes they are $425 but hugely better fixtures. Even 2 of the OR T247-B at $175 each are WAY better fixtures over a 72g, 24" deep tank.

 

[oldpaddy]

I work part time on commercial and residential marine and reef tanks. The company I work for is switching out t5's for orbits. They look nice, but are way under powered for reef tanks. They're pretty good for growing algae though.

 

[hotelbravo]

I have been using the orbit marine leds for almost 2 years and I have grown 3 anemones from tiny little things to soccer ball sized anemones. Sure they are under powered but they are not as useless as everyone says. And I have an issue with algae in my tank. The issue is I CANT get any to grow for my algae grazers. All that being said if you can afford to go better then do it. If not then the marine pro leds will be fine IMO. Im currently.looking into adding 2 T5s to my system to pair with my marine orbit leds.

 

[DamonG]

I had the orbits.. Big waste of money for even my 50 gallon tank. I ended up buying photons(reef breeders) that I transferred to my current tank. The photons or even the superlux fixtures(you can get 2 superlux fixtures for a little over 400) will work excellent for anything you can throw at a tank that size..

I would strongly stay away from the orbits..

 

[bws]

thank you for the info and tip ron reefman, I will look into those lights you suggested

 

[Ron Reefman]

Happy to help and if you have questions, ask away. BTW, both the sponsor forums below can be very helpful.

 

[bws]

just some fyi for anyone looking at the current usa orbit pro led's.. I was at pruess pets tonight a very well known pet store around the world it seems, since they have people from the uk talking about having been to the store on the website.. but anyways. I saw one in action and they flat out told me they are not impressed.. decent amount of light but the color spectrum is a redish color and cannot be changed. they said the older version of these were better just for that reason.. also.. fyi on radions.. that's all the owner raves about there is echo tech radions and he personally uses them on his sps grow out tanks and they look amazing! so I don't care what anyone says about leds being sub standard to halides.. I am pretty sure this guy knows what he is doing since he sells reef aquariums to people like politicians and lawyers every day

 

[oldpaddy]

I can't give you an opinion since I haven't used the lights yet, but I ordered two 32" 300w Chinese Blackbox LED timer lights w/remotes off a Facebook group for $239 each. The Facebook guys rave about them. We'll see...
Do a fb search for "Chinese Blackbox led proof group"

 

[jhowerton]

Hi, I tried to get on the "Chinese Blackbox led proof group" on fb and it says its not available. Has it folded?

Thanks
...JIM...

 

[Bent]

Current usa makes a real nice halide fixture you may want to look at.