33+ Best Led Lighting for Reef Tank (2021 Buyers Guide)

Best Led Lighting for Reef Tank

Are you searching for the best-LED lighting for reef tank but don’t know where to start? Maybe you need a professional opinion to be sure that you are going in the right direction? Then you have landed at just the place.

We will help you find the Best-LED reef lighting for your beloved corals and reefs so you can watch them flourish in their best versions.

With the help of this guide, you will be able to learn the benefits of LED fish tank lights, how to pick the right ones, their best settings, and also some suggestions from us for the top class aquarium led light for your reefs. So if you are ready, let’s dive right in:

If You are in A Hurry! check Below top rated and best seller:

Top picks of LED reef lighting:

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Benefits of LED Lighting for Reef Tanks:

  • Safer Option: Do you know that incandescent lights or another chemical-based lighting can harm the corals? Well, the chemical is not any good for them, and the incandescent light is not as tightly packed as Led reef lighting, which means there is a chance of reefs getting shocked. This because the light is directly under the water. LED fish tank lights, on the other hand, have tightly packed circuits that do not cause electric shock when underwater.

  • Economical: Compared to any other lighting option, be it incandescent or Xeon, you will find aquarium led light to be way more energy efficient. Since you will be leaving the lights on for 10+ hours every day, non-Led lights can increase your electricity costs. LEDs also have dimming features that will further save energy.

  • They Help With Growth: Yes, it is proven that LED lights help the reefs and corals grow better and bring out their best colors. You just need to find out the right lighting schedule and color spectrum, and you are set to see your reefs grow bigger and healthier.

  • They Are Compact: One of the main benefits of getting the perfect led aquarium lighting is that LEDs are very compact. Since the lights are directly connected to the circuit without the help of any wires, a lot of space is saved. This makes LEDs a very good candidate for nano, small and mid-sized tanks. A lot of your tank’s space will be saved, and you won’t be compromising on the lighting need of your corals as well; it seems like a win-win!

Things to Consider For Getting the Best LED reef lightings: What are the Best LED lights for Reef Tank?

Best light spectrum for coral growth

  • Build and Durability: You are going to spend a good amount of money on buying the Best-Led lighting for reef tanks, so this means you need to make sure it lasts a long time; preferably longer than your tank’s life. You do not want it to change output and lose its colors or just die out quickly. Therefore, we suggest going for the LED lights with at least 1 year of warranty. Another reason for getting LED light is that its average lifespan is 50,000 hours, so if you run it for 10 to 12 hours a day, that will be 11 years, which is a pretty good time.

  • Internal Visuals: LED reef lighting comes in different designs and colors. Like every reef enthusiast, you would want your aquarium to look colorful that brings out the exoticness of your reefs, right? Well the make sure to go for good color blending with other features like disco ball effect if you want. Explore the list of best LED fish tank light we have suggested below to find out different designs and color combinations.

  • Controllability: Some of the best lighting for reef tanks can be controlled with a remote or a mobile phone app. Make sure to look for this feature in the one you buy. You can easily set the schedule of the lights and also adjust their color spectrum for the optimal growth of your reefs.

  • PAR Intensity: The most important part of having lighting for your reef tank is the right PAR. The right amount of photosynthetic active radiation will help the corals grow better. All of the marine aquarium led lights we have suggested in this guide come with sufficient PAR intensity for the tank. But to give you an idea, it should be 50 to 350 depending on the tank; keep reading this guide till the very end to know more about PAR.
Bestseller No. 1
NICREW 150W Aquarium LED Reef Light,...
  • Full color spectrum (popular blue spectrum, red,...
  • With a maximum spread of 30″ x 30″, the light...
  • Smart fans for LEDs temperature control ensuring...
  • With touch control, white and blue channels can be...
Bestseller No. 2
VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Dimmable 165W...
  • VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Series V165 LED...
  • Internal timer allows you to turn the light on or...
  • V165 is full spectrum with our proprietary layout,...
  • Suitable for all photosynthetic corals, be sure to...
SaleBestseller No. 3
SMATFARM Aquarium Light - Sunrise Sunset...
  • PROFESSIONAL SALTWATER AQUARIUM SPECTRUM - With...
  • REMOTE & TOUCH CONTROL & JOINT CONTROL - G5 95W...
  • BETTER HEAT DISSIPATION & NO NOISE - Smart...
  • FLEXIBLE FULL ALUMINUM STANDS - Special Anti-rust...
SaleBestseller No. 4
Current USA 4228 Orbit Marine IC PRO LED...
  • FULL SPECTRUM- Producing eye-popping color and...
  • 2 IS BETTER THAN 1- The Orbit Marine IC PRO...
  • REALISTIC EFFECTS- From start-up to sundown, the...
  • BUILT IN WAVE PUMP CONTROLLER- It’s wave pump...
Bestseller No. 5
CURRENT USA Orbit Marine IC LED...
  • FULL SPECTRUM- Producing eye-popping color and...
  • INDUSTRY LEADING AQUARIUM LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY- The...
  • DYNAMIC LIGHTING EFFECTS- With modes that dim...
  • EASY INSTALLATION- Extendable brackets allows this...
Bestseller No. 6
hipargero Aquarium Light - 100Watt Five...
  • 【Program Saltwater Aquarium Spectrum】-Five...
  • 【Remote & Touch Control & Group Control】-...
  • 【OLED Display Screen & Good Heat Dissipation】-...
  • 【Sturdy Aluminum Aquarium Stand】-Special...
Bestseller No. 7
Ecotech 43119092: Aqua Illumination...
  • Fully Controllable LED Aquarium Light
  • The Prime 16 HD is a full spectrum reef aquarium...
  • Includes a separate Moonlight Channel
  • Program the Prime 16 HD using the free MyAI iOS...
Bestseller No. 8
Aquatic Life HM Electronics Edge Marine...
  • LED AQUARIUM LIGHT – HM Electronics Edge Marine...
  • FULL SPECTRUM OF COLORS – Full spectrum aquarium...
  • WATERPROOF IPX7 – This waterproof aquarium light...
  • FITS AQUARIUM FRAMES – The 24-inch aquarium...
Bestseller No. 9
Current USA 4227 Orbit Marine IC PRO LED...
  • FULL SPECTRUM- Producing eye-popping color and...
  • 2 IS BETTER THAN 1- The Orbit Marine IC PRO...
  • REALISTIC EFFECTS- From start-up to sundown, the...
  • BUILT IN WAVE PUMP CONTROLLER- It’s wave pump...
SaleBestseller No. 10
Current USA Orbit Marine LED Aquarium...
  • BRIGHTER, MORE COLORS- Your aquarium is full of...
  • SUPER COLOR- Producing eye-popping color rendition...
  • MULTIPLE MODES- With modes that dim periodically...
  • EASY INSTALLATION- Extendable brakets allows this...
Bestseller No. 11
Phlizon 165W Dimmable Full Spectrum...
  • FULL SPECTRUM- Include UV Blue Purple Red White...
  • UNIQUE DESIGN- The difference of us is that our...
  • DOUBLE DIMMER MODEL- 2 Dimmer model for setting...
  • DIMENSION- 16"*8"*2.4"(40*20*6cm), Weight: 6.6...
Bestseller No. 12
WILLS Aquarium Lights Dimmable Full...
  • 🐟【HIGH PAR VALUE 】- Scientifically...
  • 🐟【ADVANCED FULL SPECTRUM】 - Includes Red,...
  • 🐟【2 DIMMING CHANNELS】 - Both Blue Channel...
  • 🐟【DURABLE PREMIUM SMD CHIPS】Energy saving,...
Bestseller No. 13
NICREW 30W Reef LED Aquarium Light,...
  • Full color spectrum (popular blue spectrum, red,...
  • Adjustable light intensity with 6 levels, white...
  • With a recommended spread of 18''x18'', the light...
  • Easily mount the light on your rimmed or rimless...
SaleBestseller No. 14
Relassy 300W Large Aquarium Light, Fish...
  • 【 Professional Coral Reef Light】: 338 pcs led...
  • 【Large coverage area】: The size of saltwater...
  • 【Dimmable &Timer Function】: This aquarium...
  • 【No Fan & No Noise】: This led coral light is...
Bestseller No. 15
PopBloom T30 Reef 2PCS Marine Led...
  • 1x smart controller+2x led marine lights designed...
  • 6x auto modes meet variety of application...
  • 4x Independently programed channels with 8...
  • Full spectrum lamp for SPS/LPS; Smart fan without...
Bestseller No. 16
Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Aquarium...
  • Full Spectrum Marine & Reef LED Lighting with...
  • Balanced combination of multiple LEDs for optimal...
  • Features 6 unique LEDs, including 400, 420, 440,...
  • 120 degree light dispersion for full area coverage...
Bestseller No. 17
ARKNOAH LED Aquarium Light 165W Full...
  • {Full Spectrum}: Perfect Color...
  • {Adjustable and Dimmable}: 2pcs switches control...
  • {X2 Lens}: Double 120° acrylic Lens & zener diode...
  • {Widely Application}: Widely used in Fish Tank,...
Bestseller No. 18
PopBloom RL90 WiFi Led Aquarium Light...
  • 【High-performance LED Lighting】RL90 WiFi Light...
  • 【Wi-Fi/APP Control】All lights can form a...
  • 【Natural Simulation】The lights can simulate...
  • 【Programmable Usage】The DIY mode covers 24...
Bestseller No. 19
Ecotech 43119172: Aqua Illumination...
  • Fully Controllable LED Aquarium Light
  • The Hydra 32 HD is a full spectrum reef aquarium...
  • Includes a separate Moonlight Channel
  • Program the Hydra 32 HD using the free MyAI iOS...
SaleBestseller No. 20
Current USA Orbit Marine IC LED Reef...
  • FULL SPECTRUM- Producing eye-popping color and...
  • NEW TECHNOLOGY- The new Orbit Marine IC LED brings...
  • MULTIPLE MODES- With modes that dim periodically...
  • EASY INSTALLATION- Extendable brakets allows this...

LED light settings for reef tanks: Best light spectrum for coral growth:

Do corals need white light

If you’re dipping your toes in the sea of LED lighting and reefs, then you can become easily confused when it comes to getting the settings just right.

Different corals have different needs, and you also need to be careful about how long you leave the light on. So you really have to understand things from the basics.

To help you get a clear idea, we suggest that you watch this video from start to end, and you should be able to adjust the main settings of your LEDs.

Best lighting for lps corals:

Finding the best light for lps corals can be pretty challenging, especially if you don’t know where to start. There is a bombardment of brands from everywhere, and you can simply get lost trying to find that perfect match. So to help you, we have cleared out all the clutter and suggested the best lps coral lighting below:

Bestseller No. 1
VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Dimmable 165W...
  • VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Series V165 LED...
  • Internal timer allows you to turn the light on or...
  • V165 is full spectrum with our proprietary layout,...
  • Suitable for all photosynthetic corals, be sure to...
Bestseller No. 2
PopBloom T30 Reef 2PCS Marine Led...
  • 1x smart controller+2x led marine lights designed...
  • 6x auto modes meet variety of application...
  • 4x Independently programed channels with 8...
  • Full spectrum lamp for SPS/LPS; Smart fan without...
Bestseller No. 3
PopBloom RL90 WiFi Led Aquarium Light...
  • 【High-performance LED Lighting】RL90 WiFi Light...
  • 【Wi-Fi/APP Control】All lights can form a...
  • 【Natural Simulation】The lights can simulate...
  • 【Programmable Usage】The DIY mode covers 24...
Bestseller No. 4
ARKNOAH LED Aquarium Light 165W Full...
  • {Full Spectrum}: Perfect Color...
  • {Adjustable and Dimmable}: 2pcs switches control...
  • {X2 Lens}: Double 120° acrylic Lens & zener diode...
  • {Widely Application}: Widely used in Fish Tank,...
Bestseller No. 5
hipargero Aquarium Light - 100Watt Five...
  • 【Program Saltwater Aquarium Spectrum】-Five...
  • 【Remote & Touch Control & Group Control】-...
  • 【OLED Display Screen & Good Heat Dissipation】-...
  • 【Sturdy Aluminum Aquarium Stand】-Special...

Blue led lights for reef tank:

Are you searching for the LED lights for reef tanks? Maybe you are overwhelmed by the massive amount of choices available in the market? Well, don’t fret, we have gone through the internet with a fine-tooth comb and have handpicked only the best LED reef lighting for you, have a peek at them below:

Bestseller No. 1
Reef Brite 48" XHO Blue LED Light
  • Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum...
  • These versatile lights can be used to replace any...
  • Made from extruded aluminum, Reef Brite’s...
  • 36 LEDs. 54 watts. The LEDs are driven at 1.5...
Bestseller No. 2
Reef Brite 24" XHO Blue LED Light
  • Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum...
  • These versatile lights can be used to replace any...
  • Made from extruded aluminum, Reef Brite’s...
  • 18 LEDs. 27 watts. The LEDs are driven at 1.5...
Bestseller No. 3
Reef Brite 72 XHO Blue LED Light 1045...
  • Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum...
  • These versatile lights can be used to replace any...
  • It gives observers a more enjoyable viewing...
  • Made from extruded aluminum, Reef Brite’s...
Bestseller No. 4
Reef Brite 60'' XHO Blue LED Light...
  • Utilizing only 3 watt LED’s for maximum...
  • These versatile lights can be used to replace any...
  • It gives observers a more enjoyable viewing...
  • Made from extruded aluminum, Reef Brite’s...

Saltwater aquarium lighting guide (Reef Tank LED lights FAQ)

How many watts per gallon for reef tank needs?

When calculating the number of watts per gallon for your reef tank, you need to keep in mind the basic rule, which is 1-2 watts per gallon of aquariums having fish only. 2-5 watts per gallon for freshwater plan aquarium and 4-8 watts per gallon for tanks having reef.

Just remember that you are not under or overdoing things because some reefs are different from others, so their lighting needs might differ. We have given you a basic idea to get started; you can further ask the salesman you are getting reefs from for their specific lighting needs.

Can you grow coral with LED lighting?

Yes, you absolutely can, and in fact, we recommend going this route and ditching the old halogen or incandescent lights. LED lights are better, more powerful, and highly energy efficient.

Plus, due to their tightly packed circuits and hard casings, they are safer for your fish and corals. In case the light falls in the tank, the inhabitants won’t be at the risk of getting shocked.

Furthermore, the best Led lighting for reef tank provides excellent spectrums that can bring out the best colors in your reefs and fish that you may have never seen before.

Can you grow coral with LED lighting

Do corals need white light?

Yes, corals do need white light but not as much as you might think. Corals usually thrive in blue light rather than pure white. Therefore, we suggest that you mix things a bit and not just give them pure white light.

You can give out a major share of blue light and a smaller share of white light; for instance, you can experiment with 70% blue light and 30% white light.

How much led light for reef tank?

If you are planning to add the corals to your tank and are wondering how much LED light do they need, then remember, different tank types have different needs. You need to consider the PAR or photosynthetic active radiation quantity for different tanks, which as follow:

  • SPS majority tank = 350 to 250
  • Mixed reef = 350 to 75
  • LPS majority tanks = 150 to 50
  • Soft coral majority tanks = 100 to 50

You can always experiment with light quantity within these ranges and see how it goes for your reefs.

How long to run lights on reef tank?

Not for a very long time, to be honest. Keeping the lights on for the whole day will overdo things for your reefs and will also result in higher electricity costs.

How long to run lights on reef tank

We suggest that you don’t let the LED fish tank lights run for more than 10 to 12 hours. You can run lights in intervals like 3-4 hours during the daytime, 3-4 in the evening, and 3-4 at night time.

Conclusion:

So there you have it, the guide to finding, purchasing, and setting up the LED aquarium light. Just make sure to go through the list of best LED lighting for reef tank that we have suggested above to get a bang for your buck.

Plus, all of the lighting settings we have discussed above are just to give you an idea; we suggest that you experiment with the lighting based on our mentioned settings and see which setting suits your reefs.

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Last update on 2023-03-27 at 08:13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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