Orbit 2 Cross-Flow Pump
see more →SKU S076799
Out of stock in-store — order now and we'll bring it in for you, ready to ship (or collect) when it arrives. Paid securely at checkout; we'll email you with timing once it's on order.
- Ships Australia-wide — fast dispatch from Eastwood
- Or collect in store with the rest of your order
- Genuine stock — marine specialists since 2012
Overview
The AquaIllumination Orbit 2 is a compact cross-flow (gyre-style) wavemaker. It moves a broad sheet of water across the aquarium rather than firing a narrow jet at one spot. The result is a circular flow that sweeps the whole tank, the kind of rolling, tidal-style movement found on real reefs.
That wide current helps solve some of the most common flow problems in a reef tank: dead spots behind the rockwork, detritus settling in the sandbed, and corals getting blasted on one side while starving on the other. By lifting waste off the bottom and keeping it in the water column, the Orbit 2 lets your filtration, skimmer and filter media deal with it.
Key features
- Cross-flow circulation: the wide, laminar output drives water around the whole tank in a gyre pattern for even coverage and fewer dead zones.
- Forward and reverse operation: the Orbit 2 can spin in either direction. You can use reverse to add turbulence that helps stir up detritus, or run two Orbits in opposite directions to strengthen the circular flow.
- Multiple flow modes: choose Constant for a steady stream, Pulse for uniform high/low surges, or Random for a more chaotic, high-energy reef feel.
- Smart control built in: set up schedules and flow programs through AI's free app on iOS or Android, with no separate controller box to find a home for.
- Low-profile design: the slim wet side and integrated driver keep the pump tidy and unobtrusive on the glass.
- Magnetic mount: the mount suits glass up to 15 mm thick, making positioning and adjustment simple.
- Efficient DC drive: variable power draw up to 25 W, so you only use what your flow program calls for.
- Plays well with others: combine it with AI's Nero pumps for directional, punchy flow on top of the Orbit's broad circulation.
What's in the box
- AI Orbit 2 pump with integrated driver
- Mounting magnet
- Power adapter with universal plug adapter set
- Quick start guide
Who it's for
AI recommends the Orbit 2 for tanks of roughly 75 to 330+ litres. That covers most nano-to-mid-size reefs, cubes and many all-in-one systems.
- Mixed reefs and LPS tanks: the broad, gentler-feeling flow keeps polyps extended without shredding them.
- SPS keepers: run it on the upper end of that tank range, or pair it with a second Orbit or a Nero for more energetic, varied flow.
- Anyone fighting detritus: if you're chasing dead spots or settling waste, a cross-flow pump is often the missing piece.
- Longer tanks: two Orbits on opposite ends, one running forward and one in reverse, keep water moving along the full length of the display.
Setup & tips
- Mount it high and point it across: most keepers place cross-flow pumps near the top of the back or side glass so the current rolls down the front and back along the sandbed. Adjust from there to suit your aquascape.
- Start gentle: begin at low intensity and increase gradually. Watch for sand being blown around and corals being pushed too hard, and back off if you see either.
- Use reverse strategically: short reverse cycles in a program can shake detritus out of rockwork, and anti-sync pairing with a second Orbit creates more dynamic, full-tank movement.
- Keep it clean: coralline algae and debris on the impeller housing will slowly reduce flow over time, so give the wet side a regular clean to keep it performing at its best.
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