Current Outer Orbit lights

[bheaven]

I'm considering using the HQI/PC/Lunar configuration on my new 125 gallon reef tank. I'm new to the hobby and I don't see a lot of reviews on the performance of the Outer Orbits by Current.

Anyone have experience with these lights?

If so, what do you think of them?

Thanks in advance.

[weaver5]

I have the same light set-up on my 90.I have had it for about 2 years and have had no problems at all.Yas I have changed the bulbs a coule times but that is normal useage.The ones I have are 150 watt HQI( 2 of them) and the pc 120 watts (2 also).Good luck scott

[GSMguy]

go for the one with 4xt5ho and Hqi it is newer and much better

[besl]

I have the Current OO for 1 year. Overall I am very pleased with them. I had 2 issues recently: one of the switches broke - contacted Dr FS and they sent me a replacement immediately. Also replaced the MH bulbs and they woul dnot consistently fire - Dr FS sent me 3 replacement bulbs andthey all work fine now. If I bought the fixture now I would go with the 250w MH with T5 rather than the 150W MH and 96W PC. I also use this on a 125 gallon setup - the 150 MH works fine, the 250 MH would give better flexibility to corals (and clams) you may want to have.

[engine]

Im planning on the dual 150w w/ t5 for my 75gallon tank. This should allow me to keep pretty much whatever I want, shouldnt it? I would prefer not to go to 250w, as I do not want to heat up my tank too much.

[GSMguy]

edit

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9374374#post9374374 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
in your tank 150s would be good but i would get the 250s

[HighlandReef]

I have the 3x250w hqi/8x39w t5 combo and love it!
It is very nice and would recommend to anyone!

[davocean]

I have the MH T5 combo, love it.
I would definitely get the T5 over the PC's

[bheaven]

Thanks for the information.

A number of people have suggested the T5 over the PC. In pricing the two, the T5 fixture is at least $130 more expensive and the price of replacement bulbs seems to be a wash (T5 bulb is about 1/2 the price if the PC bulb, but you need 2X the number of T5 bulbs, so its a draw).

On the surface, it doesn't seem to be worth the extra cash upfront to go with the T5????? As I'm not going to make up the initial cost unless the T5's last a lot longer than the PC's.

What are the specific advantages of the T5 over PC? (i.e. bulb life, eneregy savings, etc.)??

I'm trying to justify if spending the extra cash makes sense.

Thanks in advance,

[GSMguy]

T5 put out over twice the lumens per watt of a power compact and they hve much better color it is no draw t5 kicks the crap out of pc all day every day
pc bulbs last half as long as t5

[GSMguy]

t5 also puts out about three times the par of a pc bulb

[davocean]

Very much worth the extra $130 IMO.

[jnb]

what exactly is HQI but more importantly why is it much better?
thanks


<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9365967#post9365967 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
go for the one with 4xt5ho and Hqi it is newer and much better

[GSMguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9492076#post9492076 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnb
what exactly is HQI but more importantly why is it much better?
thanks

hqi is streetslang for double ended metal halide all the orbits have those the T5 is what im reccomending some have crappy powercompacts for actinic and some have much better t5 high output

[sjj80]

i didn't have the HQI but had OO 4x96w pc, never had any probs, I would reccommend that you get exactly what you want the first time around so that you don't wish you had in the first place.

Good Luck!