Current USA Orbit IC & Current USA eFlux Wave Pump

[mountainstatereefer]

As some of you may have seen from my other posts, I purchased the new Current USA Orbit IC as it was on sale at DrsFS and came with a free eFlux controllable Powerhead kit. (Also a $50.00 gift card... Sweet deal.) Both use the new Current USA LOOP controller. This was a replacement for my Current Marine Pro on the Fluval Spec V.

 

First about LOOP:

 

LOOP, from what I can tell is a "beefed up" Ramp Timer Pro. Same features but includes a longer ramp up/down (15 min ramp, 60 min sunrise/sunset, 15 min ramp to programmable daytime spectrum or moonlighting depending on the time), inclusion of a red and green spectrum, rolling cloud mode (pretty cool actually), an improved storm mode and a one touch cleaning mode that ramps up white light so that it is easier to see to clean.. A total of two Orbit IC lights can be controlled simultaneously.

It also controls the eFlux line of wave pumps (3 maximum). With ability to ramp 10%-100% power, wave, surge, and stream mode. It offers a feed mode which ramps down the pumps (obviously).

 

So far I haven't found a way to control the lights and pumps at the same time. Such as lights and pumps ramp up to simulate day, etc. From what I can tell they are separate and the pumps cant be programmed to change modes automatically, light can be.

 

They say Bluetooth connectivity is in the works via a smartphone app. We will see if that offers more functionality.

 

Also no integration with Apex Fusion.

 

 

 

The Orbit IC light itself:

 

The light is obviously brighter, which should indicate more PAR. There PAR charts also show this. (Albeit not much.) Should be fine for LPS and Softies, possibly even SPS in a shallow tank.

 

I don't have any examples to share about growth as the light hasn't been installed long enough and my tank has just finished cycling. I am expecting the same results or a small increase from what I experienced with the Orbit Marine (regular) during my last go at reefing.

 

Current USA's main selling factor other than LOOP is that the LED's are controlled independently. (Thus allowing rolling clouds and improved weather & lightning effects.)

 

If anyone is familiar with the Orbit Marine LED and Marine Pro LED the Orbit IC is mid range between the two as far as PAR ratings, but with more features thanks to the new LOOP controller.

 

 

 

The eFlux Wave Pump:

 

The free eFlux Wave pump that came with the Orbit IC kit was the 600+/- gph version. It is EXTREMELY small form factor wise, coming in at around the same size or a bit smaller than a Hydor Koralia 240.

 

It attaches via magnet mount, no suction cups. No left to right adjustment but up and down is nice and tight. (For left to right you can mount the pump horizontal and have left to right adjustment but not up and down.) Magnet is nice and strong.

 

As for flow... I have the pump in a Fluval Spec V and it is perfect, even though it is upwards of 600 GPH at 100%. I am not sure if the flow is wider, but I can run 100% in the Spec V and not create a terrible sand storm. A small storm, yes. Destruction... No. Anyone looking for a controllable powerhead but does not want to cough up the money for an MP 10 - I highly recommend this one.

 

The modes are great for my nano (pico) sized tank. The wave setting on 50% creates a nice gentle motion, surge mode is nice as well.

 

 

Final Thoughts:

 

For the price I paid for both units and the controllability of them I have to say I am extremely satisfied with my purchase. Better equipment out there... absolutely. For this price point... not so sure. Both the Orbit IC LED and the eFlux pump creates the exact PAR and Flow I was looking for in this size tank. PAR is around 100 at the sand bed, flow is gentle yet effective with the ability to crank it up to export nutrients prior to a water change.

 

When you receive the kit, or any of the LOOP integrated systems for that matter, be sure to read the directions. The abundance of wires and control boxes may intimidate some, but once you get into making the connections it all makes sense.

 

 

 

My Orbit IC and eFlux settings:

 

10 AM Lights begin a ramp up to 50% intensity on Green, Red and Blue channels, white ramps to 25%.

11:30 AM Lights have ramped up to 100% on G/R/B channels, Whites at 50%. (Spectrum Pictured)

4:30 PM Lights begin ramping back down to 50% (25% white) as they were at 10 AM.

6:00 PM Lights have ramped to a "moonlight" spectrum which I have G/R/B 5%, White 0%.

 

eFlux remains in a constant 50% wave setting for daytime, if I remember during morning/evening I change it to a 20-30% surge mode to give a break. (I wish it would do this automatically as I don't always have time or remember to switch the mode.)

 

 

I have attached some pictures of the setup on my Fluval Spec V, the light is in my programmed "daylight" spectrum listed above. (Default settings are different, available on Current USA's website.)

 

I also attached pictures of the LOOP display, and both the light and pump "hub".

 

 

 

 

I hope this helps anyone looking for a Spec V setup or this light/pump combo. This is my first detailed review on the forum.

 

There may very well be things I did not cover, so ask away. Anyone that knows features of these products that I forgot or didn't know... please fill me in below.

 

If you notice I am trying to get back into this, which is why the tank looks so bare.

 

 

[Wasabi]

Excellent review. Thanks.

 

I bought an Orbit IC through DrsFS as well. I got the same deal as you at about $170 shipped w/$50 GC included. When do you receive your pump and hub? Will it be in the same box or do I need to submit something else?

 

I'm excited about getting it. From your review it sounds like it will fit my needs well. I'll be putting it over a Fusion 20 and not keeping anything too light demanding. I think I'm going to get the mounting racket too as I prefer that but am wondering how solid it is?

[mountainstatereefer]

The mount included is just sliding legs, should be able to slide them out to fit on your Fusion. They are quite solid from what I can tell unless they are fully extended, but the new mount arm they have available may look better on your Fusion.

 

The pump and hub kit was actually in the same box as the Orbit IC and controller, as the promotion is straight from Current USA not Drs.FS itself so its packaged together. I didn't need to do anything extra to get the pump, other than make sure it stated it was included on the product page. Don't be alarmed if your cart/invoice/email only lists the light... mine did too.

 

The flow from the pump should be perfect for your Fusion 20, it is small so it shouldn't create a problem with placement. I have mine mounted sideways on a side wall pressed against the back wall, as I couldn't put it on the back wall due to the magnet which would then have been submerged in the filtration area.

 

Since the review I have turned the flow down some more, so I know it will be perfect for your tank!

[Wasabi]

Thanks for the reply!

 

My Orbit IC came in but I haven't had a chance to open the box as I've been traveling a bit. Hopefully everything is in there as you noted.

 

Yeah, I'm going to go with the bracket mount and just picked it up for $28 shipped from DrsFS. I think it will look better too. I picked up the Fusion 20 w/stand for a steal so this is coming together nicely so far. That's good news about the pump too. I also have an older MP10 that I may add as well. I need to get a return pump(s) for the Fusion so I'll be reading up on what works best there so I will have good flow.

[mountainstatereefer]

Call me crazy... after two weeks of using the LOOP controller and accessories. The Apex Jr. is for sale on the equipment forums. Everything I wanted to eventually do with the Apex (fancy light schedule, pump control) has been accomplished with this unit. It left the Apex to strictly be a temperature controller, and I can do that for way less than I have in the Apex, so its for sale.

 

Still very pleased and think its perfect for a pico/nano aquarium where most other light and pump combination and controllers are extreme overkill.

[jbrfish]

Thank you for the review. I do have a question for the 660 pump, and like this size factor. Its listed as being 2.5" x 1"x 1".... is the 2.5" the diameter? I am thinking of adding two of these in a Red Sea Reefer 170 with a display of 34 gallons at each corner to compliment an MP10. But am thinking the 1050 pumps could be better? but the size factor is 3"x 2" x 2".

[NanoRox]

On 2/7/2017 at 5:47 PM, jbrfish said:

Thank you for the review. I do have a question for the 660 pump, and like this size factor. Its listed as being 2.5" x 1"x 1".... is the 2.5" the diameter? I am thinking of adding two of these in a Red Sea Reefer 170 with a display of 34 gallons at each corner to compliment an MP10. But am thinking the 1050 pumps could be better? but the size factor is 3"x 2" x 2".

Did you ever get a reply to this?   I am sure you already have your pumps by now but just in case personally I think the larger units would be a better choice.  What did you end up doing?