Taotronics or Orbit Marine

I currently have a taotronics 120w dimmable over my 29g and am somewhat satisfied. I have been looking at the current usa Orbit marine and are starting to consider it. I only plan on growing softies and maybe a few lps. Is it worth the 140 dollars or should I stick with the taotronics

 

I just looked at the specs and the orbit is only 18w and i have heard nothing about it. Not even sure if its a real coral capable led.

Edit: turns out there is actually a review here on 3reef and the conclusion is that its fine for softies and most lps!

 

I have one (orbit) over my 32 gallon tank. I originally bought it to be my main light, but decided that I wanted anemones in my tank and although I didn't have it as my main light for too long I thought that it wasn't going to be enough to sustain their health long term, at least with 1 fixture. I now use the orbit as supplement/night light with a Kessil A150w as my daylight.


I think this would work for LPS if you placed them high enough.I really like this fixture and with more power I think that this would be a great option for a lot of people. The controller is probably the best feature on it

 

Do you have a blue/white dimmable, or a Ful Spectrum Dimmable?

Either way, they are both decent lights.

I went from the former to the latter x 3 on my 125 mixed reef.

The blue/white TaoTronics lights alone are enough to grow sps near the bottom on most cases.

 

I have the blue white only

 

FTR, the Orbit only uses 1/4w diodes, and the PAR drops off rather quickly according to their own chart. I was considering it myself for my 20L, but I'm still a bit skeptical. I'll probably end up with a Reef Breeders value fixture or a couple of PAR bulbs. I'm not really concerned with control.

 

For the same cost as the reef breeders value fixture you can get a Reef Radiance DM-55e w/moonlights. DM-55e MOONLIGHT - Reef Radiance

 

I contemplated another reefbreeder fixture for my 32g as well. I have the photon 24 over my 57 and Have been very happy with it. My only reason I didnt go with the photon for this tank was the fans are a bit noisey, this tank is in my living room and didnt want to have noise be an issue. Im not sure if the value fixtures run the same fan or not. Controller on photon is simple and gets the job done just doesnt have the frills as the orbit.

 

Thanks for the link, but I'm also not in a rush. That sale ends tomorrow. I'll spend much longer than that researching company background, reading reviews, etc., etc. Until I switch, it's only $40 per year for T5 bulbs.

 

Don't be fooled by the time line on the sale. That is the same price that he has been selling them at for 4 months now. I bought my LED from him and the price hasn't changed, just the ending date for the sale.