Current USA has unveiled its first new product since restructuring, and we admit to doing a double take when we saw the $59 price tag.
Named the Orbit Marine Nano LED, the fixture is a piece of black, 7”x3.5”x0.5” marine grade aluminum populated with a mix of 54 Royal Blue and 10000K white Light Emitting Diodes in total, under an acrylic screen.
The blue and white channels can be controlled and dimmed independently as well as providing Dynamic Mode. Dynamic Mode contains 7 preset lighting modes with dynamic weather effects: Deep Sea Daylight, Moonlight, and 5 different versions of cloud cover and storms. The fixture is IP65 water resistant, passively cooled and with a maximum power drawer of 16 watts. That’s one watt more than a Kessil A80 Tuna Blue, and the angle adjustable gooseneck and tank mount are included in the sub $60 price.
“The Orbit Marine Nano combines elements of the longstanding industry-proven Orbit Marine lineup with a new footprint and feature-rich controller, all at an affordable price,” said Ken Brown, SaltwaterAquarium.com’s operating officer. “We’re excited to offer another great option to help customers light their small aquariums, with a cost-effective solution that will work great for the majority of nano tanks.”
What we think
The Orbit Marine Nano LED is rated for nano aquariums up to 25 gallons. We think that may be a little ambitious for a 25-gallon mixed reef although for $59 we would happily invest in two, or use one as the sole lighting source for smaller nano tanks containing soft and LPS corals. We like that the white and blue channels can be controlled independently, we like that it’s passively cooled, (also meaning silent operation,) has a degree of waterproofing, and that the gooseneck comes with it.
When we are living in a world of $150 entry-level lights, in 2024, $59 (£46) is incredibly good value and will go a long way to aiding young reefkeepers into the hobby, those on a budget, and those who just need a small light for an extra tank.
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