Best LED lighting on a new 20 gallon high

Ohmsford · 12/08/2017, 08:35 AM

I am in the process of completely rebuilding my 20 gallon high (24x12x16) reef and want to change from the old 65W PC 50/50 lights to LED. I want to stock mostly LPS (mushrooms, candy cane, torch, polyps, zoos, etc.) but would be interested in some SPS in the future if the tank is performing well.

I really like the Current USA Orbit 24-36" LEDs, Marine and Pro versions, but I am on the fence to order. The Pro sells for around $200, but is there something else out there that can perform better? I prefer an on the tank mount, as I don't want to hang anything due to where the tank is, nor spend additional money on mounting brackets.

journeyman · 12/08/2017, 10:13 AM

Take a look at the ai prime hd or the nano-lite plus from reef breeders. Better bang for your buck and can support sps later if your decide to go that way.

Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

NDagel · 12/08/2017, 12:41 PM

I have a 10gal gallon tank the I run the 18" current orbit marine on and it does great. I have a green Haddon Carpet that moved to the more shaded corner of the tank like it was getting too much light when directly under it. I plan on eventually getting a 20gal high myself and running the same light on it. I figured the extra 4 inches of depth would be fine for all my low light LPS and softies. But the Orbit marine penetrates plenty on a 12" deep tank, enough so that my Alveapora does great sitting on the bottom and the light is also bright enough to support Acros and Turbinaria in the top 6 inches. Tank 2.jpg

Anemone.jpg

Ohmsford · 12/08/2017, 12:51 PM

Are you using the regular or the Pro version?

eddiereefs · 12/08/2017, 06:47 PM

+1 prime

eddiereefs · 12/08/2017, 06:48 PM

My nuvo ten with prime sps only. U should be fine with all lps plus some sps on top. Plus u can control with smart phone

NDagel · 12/08/2017, 09:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohmsford

Are you using the regular or the Pro version?

I am using the regular. I like the k temp of the regular better and I felt the Pro was too focused for my tank.

zooman72 · 12/09/2017, 03:08 PM

If you went with the Orbit Pro, you could use the 18" version, which can be found for as low as $119 shipped, and would be more than enough for a 20H. I am using one of the 18" Pro's on my IM Nuvo 20g, with the blue channel at 90% and the white at 60%, and even that might be too much for the soft corals I have. I use an 18" non-Pro on a 4.5g full of flower nems, and it is running at 100% both channels in an aquarium only 6.5" deep...

OhsCC · 12/11/2017, 08:18 PM

Just set up my IM nuvo 20 gallon peninsula. Bought the current USA loop 24 to 36 and it came with a free eflux 600. Bought it from saltwateraquarium.com. great service.

I like the unit and I think I paid around $135. Everything is controlled by a remote.

OhsCC · 12/11/2017, 08:22 PM

Just set up my IM nuvo 20 gallon peninsula. Bought the current USA loop 24 to 36 and it came with a free eflux 600. Bought it from saltwateraquarium.com. great service.

I like the unit and I think I paid around $135. Everything is contrlled by a remote.

OhsCC · 12/12/2017, 07:12 AM

FYI

I have the Marine Pro 48" on my 75 gallon tank. If I could easily upgrade that to the LOOP system I would. The new loop led light options are a significant upgrade to the Marine Pro series.

12/08/2017, 08:35 AM	#1
Ohmsford Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 83	Best LED lighting on a new 20 gallon high I am in the process of completely rebuilding my 20 gallon high (24x12x16) reef and want to change from the old 65W PC 50/50 lights to LED. I want to stock mostly LPS (mushrooms, candy cane, torch, polyps, zoos, etc.) but would be interested in some SPS in the future if the tank is performing well. I really like the Current USA Orbit 24-36" LEDs, Marine and Pro versions, but I am on the fence to order. The Pro sells for around $200, but is there something else out there that can perform better? I prefer an on the tank mount, as I don't want to hang anything due to where the tank is, nor spend additional money on mounting brackets.

12/09/2017, 03:08 PM	#8
zooman72 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Lockport, NY Posts: 1,340	If you went with the Orbit Pro, you could use the 18" version, which can be found for as low as $119 shipped, and would be more than enough for a 20H. I am using one of the 18" Pro's on my IM Nuvo 20g, with the blue channel at 90% and the white at 60%, and even that might be too much for the soft corals I have. I use an 18" non-Pro on a 4.5g full of flower nems, and it is running at 100% both channels in an aquarium only 6.5" deep... __________________ 7 reef tanks, 5 freshwater tanks, 2 terrariums, 2 dogs, 3 boys, and 1 very understanding wife! Current Tank Info: Marine: Pair of 40B's, 45W, 50g cube, ADA 45F at home...IM Nuvo 20 and 10 at office!

12/11/2017, 08:18 PM	#9
OhsCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 247	Just set up my IM nuvo 20 gallon peninsula. Bought the current USA loop 24 to 36 and it came with a free eflux 600. Bought it from saltwateraquarium.com. great service. I like the unit and I think I paid around $135. Everything is controlled by a remote. Last edited by OhsCC; 12/12/2017 at 07:09 AM.

12/08/2017, 10:13 AM	#2
journeyman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca. Posts: 357	Take a look at the ai prime hd or the nano-lite plus from reef breeders. Better bang for your buck and can support sps later if your decide to go that way. Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk

12/08/2017, 12:41 PM	#3
NDagel Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 8	I have a 10gal gallon tank the I run the 18" current orbit marine on and it does great. I have a green Haddon Carpet that moved to the more shaded corner of the tank like it was getting too much light when directly under it. I plan on eventually getting a 20gal high myself and running the same light on it. I figured the extra 4 inches of depth would be fine for all my low light LPS and softies. But the Orbit marine penetrates plenty on a 12" deep tank, enough so that my Alveapora does great sitting on the bottom and the light is also bright enough to support Acros and Turbinaria in the top 6 inches. Tank 2.jpg Anemone.jpg

12/08/2017, 12:51 PM	#4
Ohmsford Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Northern New Jersey Posts: 83	Are you using the regular or the Pro version?

12/08/2017, 06:47 PM	#5
eddiereefs Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 575	+1 prime

12/11/2017, 08:22 PM	#10
OhsCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 247	Just set up my IM nuvo 20 gallon peninsula. Bought the current USA loop 24 to 36 and it came with a free eflux 600. Bought it from saltwateraquarium.com. great service. I like the unit and I think I paid around $135. Everything is contrlled by a remote.

12/12/2017, 07:12 AM	#11
OhsCC Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 247	FYI I have the Marine Pro 48" on my 75 gallon tank. If I could easily upgrade that to the LOOP system I would. The new loop led light options are a significant upgrade to the Marine Pro series.