Orbit vs Satellite
- Thread starter Xandernfs
- Start date
Hey X,
I was wondering the same thing once. If I remember correctly, the orbit has the ability to operate sets of lights independently, so you could create an actinics only, "dusk/dawn" effect. The extra costs is due to the extra ballast they fit into fixture. My advice would be to go for the cheaper Satellites, unless seeing an actinics only effect is a must.
Hope this helps ^_^
Al
I was wondering the same thing once. If I remember correctly, the orbit has the ability to operate sets of lights independently, so you could create an actinics only, "dusk/dawn" effect. The extra costs is due to the extra ballast they fit into fixture. My advice would be to go for the cheaper Satellites, unless seeing an actinics only effect is a must.
Hope this helps ^_^
Al
GobyJohnKenobi
New member
I wondered the same thing chosing between the 20" Orbit or the Satelite. In the end I chose the Orbit. It has a larger fan and the body is built like a wind tunnel with the bulbs and ballasts placed in the middle of it. Very well thought out design for cooling the bulbs and ballasts.
The only noise from the fan is the sound of the air moving thru the fixture, The top of it is barely warm after being on for over 12 hours. Very solid and well constructed.
I'm not sure if it was actually worth the extra dough, but I do not regret spending it. Especially after feeling how hot my 36W Coralife Mini (without a fan) gets after a few minutes. Really amazing the heat those ballasts and bulbs put out.
You wont regret getting the Orbit, should you decide to go that route. But I'm sure the Satelite would also be a good choice.
The only noise from the fan is the sound of the air moving thru the fixture, The top of it is barely warm after being on for over 12 hours. Very solid and well constructed.
I'm not sure if it was actually worth the extra dough, but I do not regret spending it. Especially after feeling how hot my 36W Coralife Mini (without a fan) gets after a few minutes. Really amazing the heat those ballasts and bulbs put out.
You wont regret getting the Orbit, should you decide to go that route. But I'm sure the Satelite would also be a good choice.
sjm1978
Active member
im gonna be ordering the 20" orbit for my tank tomorrow. i have been tring to decide on a light fixture for the last 3 weeks. i was gonna go with the sunpod 150w MH HQI. but for the corals i keep i dont need that high of lighting plus i dont want to deal with heat issues. plus all my corals are growing like crazy under the 64w stock lighting so i know the 20" orbit is gonna be more than enough.
super-cichlid
New member
Besides the above mentioned, doesn't the Orbit have a parabolic reflector, allowing for a larger percentage of light being produced to be reflected?
sjm1978
Active member
yup it does have a parabolic reflector. also the sunpaq bulbs put about 50% more light out than competitors and they are dual so you get 4 different types of lighting in two bulbs. im gonna go buy mine today at my LFS. i was gonna order it offline for less but i dont trust it in the hands of UPS
i might even do a MH 70w retro kit on the fixture after christmas just so i can get the shimmer effect.super-cichlid
New member
yeah the shimmer effect is cool
I use a single satellite on my cichlid tank and a dual satellite on the SW with a single on the fuge. I've been nothing but happy with Currents products.
If you're getting a MH too, why not get the Outer Orbit with PC's, MH and Lunar Lighting?
I use a single satellite on my cichlid tank and a dual satellite on the SW with a single on the fuge. I've been nothing but happy with Currents products.
If you're getting a MH too, why not get the Outer Orbit with PC's, MH and Lunar Lighting?
sjm1978
Active member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8598155#post8598155 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by super-cichlid
yeah the shimmer effect is cool
I use a single satellite on my cichlid tank and a dual satellite on the SW with a single on the fuge. I've been nothing but happy with Currents products.
If you're getting a MH too, why not get the Outer Orbit with PC's, MH and Lunar Lighting?
that light doesnt come in 20" i dont want a 4" overhang. i also dont want heat problems so thats why i was thinking a 70w mh. i got my light on the tank this morning i love it.i also love how its cooled the housing doesnt even get warm neither does the plastic shield. i also love the 2 white lunars is has i thought i wasent gonna like them because they werent blue but i like the white ones better. i bought it yesturday at a LFS i didnt want to trust ordering it offline and have it be in the hands of UPS
heres a pic kinda blurry i need a tripod. i also did a DIY ac70 fuge mod and a DIY light for it ill post a thread of it tomorrow once all the silicone is dry.
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