Choosing a reef light
How to choose an LED for your reef: coverage, control, and which fixtures fit which tanks.
Light is what corals live on, so it’s worth getting right once. The good news: every major reef LED we carry can grow corals. The real choice is about coverage, control and how you like to work.
What you’ll need
Dalua Pixel Full Spectrum Reefer
Dalua Illumagic Pixel Full Spectrum Reefer LED LightFrom $99.00
Choose size
Four questions to answer
- How big is the tank? Check the manufacturer’s coverage for each fixture against your tank’s length, width and depth. Bigger tanks usually need more than one fixture for even light.
- What will you keep? Soft corals are forgiving. Stony corals need more light and more consistent placement. Choose a fixture with headroom and run it below maximum.
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How much control do you want? App-controlled LEDs like AquaIllumination and EcoTech let you set spectrum, schedule and gradual sunrise and sunset. If you prefer set-and-forget, choose a simpler fixture.
EcoTech Radion G6View product →
- How will you mount it? Most reef LEDs can hang or sit on a tank-mount arm. Check the mounting options before you buy.
Getting started
- Start low and ramp up slowly over several weeks. Sudden bright light can bleach corals.
- Keep the same schedule every day; corals like consistency.
- Move new corals gradually from lower to higher in the rockwork.
- Use the manufacturer’s app presets as a starting point rather than building a schedule from scratch.
- Clean the lens or glass regularly. Salt creep blocks light.
Freshwater instead?
Planted tanks have their own fixtures: see the AI Hydra 32 HD Freshwater and Dalua Pixel Freshwater Aquascaper.
LED or T5?
LEDs are the simplest choice for most reef tanks: programmable, efficient and low maintenance. Some reefers add T5 tubes or a blue supplemental light for color and spread. If you do, plan your mounting so the fixtures don’t shade each other.
Quick picks
- Nano and small tanks: AI Hydra Prime 16 HD.
- Clean, slim look: AI Hydra Edge HD.
- Larger tanks or multi-fixture setups: AI Hydra HD or EcoTech Radion G6.
- Extra blue for coral color: Dalua X4 Reefer Blue.
Check each product page for coverage and mounting before ordering, or ask us with your tank size.
Signs your light needs adjusting
- Corals pale or bleached at the top: often too much light too soon. Lower intensity or move them down.
- Corals stretching or browning: may want more light. Raise intensity in small steps over weeks.
- Algae taking off: look at feeding, nutrients and photoperiod together, not just the light.