Aquarium Lighting Guide — LED for Freshwater & Reef

Lighting is one of the most important — and most confusing — pieces of aquarium equipment. The right light supports plant and coral growth, enhances fish colours, and ties your entire aquascape together. Here’s how to choose and use it correctly.

Why LED?

LED lighting has largely replaced T5 and metal halide in the hobby for good reason:

• Energy efficient — lower electricity costs
• Low heat output
• Long lifespan (50,000+ hours)
• Programmable spectrum and intensity on quality units
• Full spectrum options support both plants and corals

Freshwater Planted Tank Lighting

Plants need light in the PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) range. Key considerations:

• Low-light plants (anubias, java fern, moss): 15–30 PAR
• Medium-light plants (stem plants, crypts): 30–50 PAR
• High-light plants (carpeting plants, demanding stems): 50–80+ PAR
• Photoperiod: 8–10 hours per day; use a timer
• Avoid leaving lights on 24/7 — this causes algae blooms

Reef & Saltwater Lighting

Reef lighting requirements are more demanding. Corals — especially SPS (small polyp stony) — need high PAR and the right spectrum:

• Soft corals & LPS: 50–150 PAR
• SPS corals: 200–400+ PAR
• Blue/actinic spectrum (420–460nm) enhances coral fluorescence
• Programmable sunrise/sunset cycles reduce coral stress

Recommended Brands

We carry a full range of aquarium lighting in our Aquarium Supplies collection, including Aqua Illumination fixtures — trusted by reef and planted tank enthusiasts alike for their precision spectrum control and app programmability.

Common Lighting Mistakes

• Running lights too long (causes algae)
• Under-lighting a high-demand coral or plant tank
• No ramp-up period when upgrading intensity (stresses corals)
• Ignoring spectrum — not all “white” light is equal

Need help choosing the right light for your setup? Visit us in store or browse our Aquarium Supplies.