Best LED Lighting for Reef Tank 2021

Reef tanks are nice and all if you have your fish, your plants, your substrate, and all other stuff, such as your filter and your tank heater.

But what about lighting? Many fish keepers will tell you that lighting can be something for fish since they sometimes rely on their surroundings for the will to live on. After all, even humans can’t work properly if they always sit in the dark, right?

In line with this, you may be looking for the best LED lighting for a reef tank. LED lighting usually comes with starter kits for reef tanks but not all of them do.

If you want to choose an LED lighting system separately and specifically for your intended tank size, you’d have to look for one with the right specifications.

After all, if your fish gets the proper lighting then you will have healthier fish in a general sense. Most fish have been used to certain lighting conditions and it can help their body clock to normalized so they won’t feel tense.

Top 5 Best LED Lighting for Reef Tank

Here are our top picks for the best LED lighting for reef tank:

NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light

This aquarium light is a mix of standard white and blue LED lights that can be switched between 2 modes: daytime and nighttime lighting, so that your fish will feel like they are in their natural habitat.

With a size of 18 to 24 inches, this one has adjustable brackets for you to custom fit it to your aquarium.

It can be placed over the panel or glass-covered aquariums to set it up. Since it has a single-bracket design, this one can be quite easy to install in general.

The light uses 11 watts of power with 640 lm and 700K for its color temperature.

Things We Liked

• daytime and nighttime lighting
• adjustable brackets
• easy to set up
• the brightness isn’t too overpowered for the plants

Things We Didn’t Like

• Not completely waterproof

Hygger Blue White LED Aquarium Lights

This one bears a clip-on design with a gooseneck system so that you can adjust it to any angle and any direction that you want.

With its 13-watt LED light strip, this set also has 2 lighting modes: blue (night) and white/blue (daylight).

Due to its aluminum alloy shell that’s not too thick, it can be sleek enough not to look bothersome for your fish.

It also has some manner of splash-resistance and it can be clipped onto any fish tank with up to 0.9 inches of thickness. Since the clamp is adjustable, you can choose the angle of the LED lamp.

Things We Liked

• Can be used in freshwater or saltwater systems
• 2 lighting modes
• Clip-on design
• Adjustable gooseneck
• Slightly splash-resistant

Things We Didn’t Like

• May not work with aquariums that have a trim at the top

MarsAqua Dimmable 165W 300W LED Aquarium Light

If you would like a dimmable aquarium light, this one may be for you. It can be used in both freshwater and saltwater systems and has a full spectrum design.

It uses copper for its material so its thermal conductivity is good to prevent overheating. The design of this light bar is okay to use for up to 38 x 24 inches of a fish tank or anything that has up to 55 gallons in size.

The hanging kit is also adjustable so setup can be a breeze. There are 2 channels of brightness that you can adjust from 0% to 100% separately to get a thoroughly customized lighting system.

It is also backed by a 3-year authentic warranty from the manufacturer.

Things We Liked

• Dimmable lights
• Good for large tanks
• Copper for better thermal conductivity
• Okay for both freshwater and saltwater tanks
• Adjustable hanging kit
• Manufacturer’s warranty

Things We Didn’t Like

• The instruction manual lacks details

ECtENX LED Aquarium Light

Yet another bending light with a gooseneck setup, this one is adjustable and has 2 colors, blue and white, for your fish tank’s day or nighttime lighting scheme.

It can be mounted onto your aquarium system and can be adjusted at any angle. The clamp can work on aquarium walls with up to 0.39-inch thickness.

With a total of 24 LED lights (18 white and 6 blue), this one can be applicable for tanks from 5 to 20 gallons (buy two for 20 to 55 gallons).

With a size of 3.5 x 1.6 inches, this one can also work in plastic tank rims. It is also backed by a 1-year limited warranty.

Things We Liked

• Lightweight design
• Okay for quarantine tanks
• Easy to tighten and set up
• 2 colors of the LED lights
• May work on plastic tank rims
• 1-year limited warranty

Things We Didn’t Like

• May not be as bright as other LED lights
• May not fit on rimmed aquariums

Koval Aquarium Lighting Fish Tank Light

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This fish tank light can be used for up to 50,000 hours on its lifespan.

Since it has an extendable bracket, you can use it on fish tanks from 36 to 43 inches in its width.

Each of the light pieces is at 0.5-watt power while the white LEDs have a rating of 8,000 K.

The light has a low energy dissipation due to using LED lights with a total of 129 units in one hood, made with blue, white, green, pink, and red LEDs.

This can be for you if you want a complete light show for your fish.

Things We Liked

• Multiple LED light colors
• Large design
• Extendable size
• Aluminum alloy shell
• 2 modes (day and nightlight)

Things We Didn’t Like

• May not have enough sealing in some parts of the light bar

Things to Consider Before You Buy

To look for the best LED lighting for a reef tank, here are some things you need to know first:

Why should I buy  LED lighting for a reef tank?

Putting up an LED lighting system for your fish tank has its benefits, such as the following:

1. LEDs consume low energy. Ever since companies started selling LED light, electricity costs have been going down due to their ability to consume very low energy as compared to standard lighting.

 

2. They tend to last longer than regular light. LEDs can be a great investment since they can last for many years compared to regular light.

 

3. LEDs don’t really heat up that much. Regular fluorescent lamps could heat up pretty badly, resulting in unwanted accidents. LEDs don’t really do that much heating and still light up your tank.

 

4. You can adjust the light intensity. Most LED panels are dimmable, which can be ideal for setting a certain mood for your fish.

 

5. Many color options. Blue and white are the most common aquarium colors, but you can also choose from a multitude of colors for your light.

 

6. Usually covers a lot of tank area. Many reef tank lighting systems are so wide that they cover your entire aquarium.

How do I choose LED lighting for a reef tank?

To choose an appropriate LED lighting system for your tank, you may want to consider:

1. Your tank width. Consider a light bar that has an adjustable width so it fits safely, snugly, and securely.

 

2. The ease of setup. A good light bar to consider is one that is easy to set up over your reef tank.

 

3. The colors of the LED light. Do you want a 2-color lighting system or many colors? That depends on your preference.

 

4. The safety features. If you think you’ll probably get the LED lighting splashed with water often then consider getting a splash-proof one.

What problems can I encounter when buying LED lighting for a reef tank?

Choosing reef tank LED lights could have some challenges, such as the following:

1. LED lights may not always be available in your pet store. This is because they can be a relatively new technology that’s only found on most online shops and sites.

 

2. Planted aquariums may not work well with them. Your plants could grow too much if you expose them to too much light, which may not look so good with a small aquarium. It can also be bothersome to your fish, so consider a dimmable light in this case.

 

3. Some LED light systems could be a bit expensive. LEDs can be expensive, but they can be worth buying in the long run, since they have a lot of benefits, such as energy efficiency, brightness, and the like. Do consider your budget first, though.

Conclusion

To wrap it up, our top pick for the best LED lighting for a reef tank is the NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light because of its daytime and nighttime lighting, adjustable brackets, and the fact that it is easy to set up. Also, it’s worth noting that the brightness isn’t too overpowered for the plants to grow too much.

While it is not completely waterproof, this con is true for most LED lighting systems anyway, so it’s just a matter of taking extra caution when installing them.