Finding the best lighting for coral reef aquariums can sometimes feel like a bit of a challenge. With all the options available it can be hard to find the type of light that works well for your aquarium. After all, there are T5 fluorescent lights, LED’s and hybrid systems. In this article we will go over our most highly rated reef lighting systems, so you can quickly make an informed decision.
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Best Lighting for Coral Reef Aquariums
Coral Reef Lighting Reviews
Coralife Lunar Aqualight Quad T5 HO Aquarium Light Fixture
The Coralife Lunar Aqualight Quad T5 HO Aquarium Light Fixture (Buy Online) offers the benefits of T5 and LED lighting all in one convenient package. If you prefer the even diffuse light that fluorescent bulbs provide, but you still want the shimmering effect of a moonlight LED this reef tank lighting system has everything you want all in one affordable fixture.
The Coralife Lunar Aqualight Quad T5 HO reef tank lighting system uses four fluorescent bulbs that come included with the fixture. Two of the fluorescent bulbs are daylight lamps and the other two are actinic. And the two moonlight LED’s are built into the fixture right behind the reflector where the four T5 fluorescent lights are situated.
The 30-inch version of this reef tank lighting fixture uses 31-watt bulbs. A 36-inch model is also available that uses 39-watt T5 fluorescents. Altogether the 30-inch model consumes about 125 watts of power while the 36-inch unit will require 156 watts while it is in operation. Of course, the LED’s will also add to the power draw along with the ballast, but the T5 bulbs make up the bulk of this fixtures power consumption.
Cooling for this fixture is provided by a built-in fan that discharges heat from large vents on top of the unit. The 30-inch model only comes with one fan but still has two exhaust ports. While the larger models have two fans which take full advantage of this reef tank lighting fixtures superior ventilation. And each fan is fully user serviceable, so if a fan does eventually die it can be repaired or replaced with minimal effort.
This fixture has three power cords, one for the daylight bulbs another for the actinic and one for the LED moonlights. The three cord system makes controlling your reef tanks lighting schedule a whole lot easier. You can set each cord on its own individual timer which will allow you to run your daylight bulbs and actinic bulbs for different durations depending on the needs of your coral. And then at night, you can have the moonlight LED’s run on their own independent schedule.
While some people think LED’s are the be all and end all when it comes to modern aquarium lighting, T5 fluorescents still have their advantages in a reef aquarium. Fluorescent bulbs offer a more even light that won’t produce optical “hot spots” that can overstimulate and damage coral. And they offer a more natural looking light that doesn’t cast harsh shadows. When you put this together with the two blue moonlight LED’s the Coralife Lunar Aqualight Quad T5 system offers a reef keeper the best of both worlds while avoiding the problems associated with single technology solutions.
Hamilton Technology 4 ft Kona Sun 20,000K LED light
The Hamilton Technology 4 ft Kona Sun 20,000K LED (Buy Online) aquarium lighting fixture is a powerful LED light that is more affordable than some of the lower output systems. If you want an efficient LED reef aquarium lighting fixture that has excellent light distribution, then the Kona Sun is one of the best LED lights available.
The 20,000K 4ft Kona Sun has an even mix of blue and white LED’s in order to provide the proper mix of wavelengths for optimal coral growth. The blue and white LED’s are evenly spaced in this fixture, so the light is mixed properly once it reaches the water. This helps prevent optical “hot spots” from forming, which helps protect delicate corals from the effects of uneven lighting.
In total there are 36 x 1-watt LED bulbs in this fixture. Having such a low power draw of a mere 36 watts means you can run this fixture for much less money than T5 fluorescents or especially metal halides. And since it consumes such a small amount of power you can even use it as a source of supplemental lighting if you have another reef tank lighting system already up and running.
The Hamilton Technology 4 ft Kona Sun consumes such a small amount of power it doesn’t need a fan to keep it cool while it’s running. The aluminum housing of the fixture has enough surface area to act as a heat sink which completely obviates the need for an active cooling system. That means if you use this fixture alone you won’t hear any noises except for the calming sound of your reef tanks flowing water.
The fixture comes with a remote power supply with a quick disconnect for added safety. The LED’s are also protected from water damage since the whole fixture is sealed and it is rated to be water resistant. All you will need to do once you take this fixture out of the box is to hang it from the built-in brackets and then you will be ready to enjoy its vibrant lighting.
EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 LED Lighting System
The EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 LED (Buy Online) is considered by many people to be the best LED aquarium lighting for corals on the market. It uses a new hemispherical edge illumination technology to provide even illumination from its array of multi-spectral LED’s. And to top it all off you can control this light from any PC or smartphone using a web-based control platform.
The EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 has a total of 34 LED’s with six different spectral outputs. There are 8 cool white LED’s, 6 deep blue LED’s, 8 blue LED’s, 4 green LED’s, 4 photo red LED’s and 4 UV LED’s. Having this mix of color balanced LED’s will keep your coral healthy and make them appear more vibrant than ever.
Even with its array of 34 individual lights, this LED reef aquarium lighting system will only consume 150 watts of power. It can also handle input voltages that range from 100-240 VAC so it will work whether it is connected to American or foreign power systems.
When it comes to cooling and ventilation this fixture uses a quiet active cooling system, so you won’t have to worry about having to listen to a noisy fan when you are trying to enjoy your reef aquarium. The EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 uses a high surface area heat sink which evenly dissipates heat. And the fixture’s housing has multiple air vents that provide unrestricted airflow so heat buildup will never be a problem.
The EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4 can be controlled from anywhere in the world using the EcoSmart command center. All you will need is an internet connection and a web browser. Everything is managed from the cloud which means your lighting settings are always backed up so you will never lose them due to a power outage or any other unforeseen circumstance.
If you want one of the most technologically advanced reef lighting systems you won’t find many alternatives that have more to offer than the EcoTech Marine Radion XR30w G4. With all its management options and color settings, you will be able to light your reef tank in a way that even rivals most professional systems.
Current USA Orbit Marine LED
If you need ultra-bright LED aquarium lighting the Current USA Orbit Marine (Buy Online) is a very capable LED aquarium lighting system. With an included remote control you can program this light from anywhere in the room, so you can sit back and enjoy how much brighter your corals look under this lamps perfectly color balanced lighting.
The 36” – 48” fixture has a total of 155 LED’s with 7 different color ranges. There are 38 6500K white LED’s, 5 8000K white LED’s, 20 10000K white LED’s, 38 445nm Blue LED’s, 36 460nm blue LED’s and 1 RGB LED. This wide range of spectra allows this system to offer optimal lighting for any type of reef aquarium. And all of these LED bulbs combined consume a paltry 36 watts of power.
There are three four Current USA Orbit size options available. If the 36”-48” Orbit model doesn’t suit your needs there is an 18”- 24” Orbit model that uses 18 watts of power and has a total of 82 LED’s. There is also a 24”-36” Orbit model that consumes 27 watts of power and has 104 LED’s. And if you have a large tank the 48”-60” Current USA Orbit has the highest light output with 215 LED’s and a power consumption of 48-watts.
The Current USA Orbit doesn’t use a fan or any other active cooling system in order to maintain its operating temperature. Instead, the large aluminum body acts as a very efficient heat sink which draws heat away from the light and passively dissipates it into the surrounding environment. The housing is also sealed and it has an IP65 water resistant rating which makes it very safe for use around marine reef aquariums.
The 28 button IR remote that comes with this system can be used to program the lighting controller or it can be used to cycle through the lighting options. You can set the lights to slowly turn on and off over a 30 minute period to simulate sunrise and sunset. You can also switch to different weather modes like fog, cloud cover, fading moonlight and best of all thunderstorms. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg, the remote can also control pumps and wavemakers or any other device that is plugged into the LOOP controller.
Aqueon OptiBright Plus LED Lighting System
The Aqueon OptiBright Plus LED Lighting System (Buy Online) offers high-end features at a very affordable entry-level price point. If you have been looking at led aquarium lights for reef tanks you most likely have seen some with a lot of options but with an equally high price tag. The Aqueon OptiBright Plus LED has an impressive feature set like an included remote and multiple color presets all for a price that won’t strain your budget.
The 48” Aqueon OptiBright Plus uses in total 96 LED’s. There are 76 white LED’s. 10 blue LED’s and 10 red LED’s. This light has a combined total output of 1125 Lumens and a PAR of 18 at a distance of 12 inches. These low light output numbers mean this light won’t be the best when it comes to lighting coral from a distance. Though it is enough light for corals high up in the tank or for coral species with lower light requirements.
The Aqueon OptiBright Plus is passively cooled so it doesn’t use any fans for cooling. That makes this light perfect for rooms where fan noises can cause a distraction. One downside to the housing is that it is not sealed so it has to be used on an aquarium with a cover to avoid the risk of water damage.
The real high point of the Aqueon OptiBright Plus is the RF remote control. This remote is actually better in some respects than the ones that come with much more expensive lighting fixtures. The remotes that come with other systems are usually infrared which means they require line of sight to operate. The RF remote that comes with the Aqueon OptiBright Plus will work from anywhere even through walls.
The remote can be used to cycle through 3 preset color options. It can also control the light levels and the speed at which the light turns on and off to mimic sunrise and sunset. And the built-in LCD will let you easily see and cycle through your timers and other lighting configurations.
Fluval Sea Marine & Reef LED Nano Aquarium Lamp
The Fluval Sea Marine & Reef LED Nano Aquarium Lamp (Buy Online) is tailor-made for small reef aquariums. This compact light can be mounted on almost any kind of open top nano reef so you can really show off its inhabitants.
This LED reef aquarium lighting fixture has a total of 156 LED’s nicely arranged into its small form factor. The overall color temperature of this light is 25,000K, and it has an output of 565 Lumens, all while consuming only 14 watts of power.
This fixture is passively cooled so it won’t produce any fan noise or cause any unwanted vibrations in your aquarium. The fixture is also made to be used with open top aquariums so it is water resistant.
There are not many other bells and whistles that come with this tank like remotes or smart controllers. What you get is a very attractive LED lamp that is suitable for use on 5-10 gallon aquariums. If you want a light with more features consider checking out some of the reef lights mentioned above in this article.
![Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Oscar fish are voracious eaters that can grow to be up to 14 inches long. They need a lot of space and a big tank, but they also need good filtration. This is because Oscars produce a large amount of waste for their size, which can quickly pollute the water if not managed properly. Read on to see the best filter for an Oscar fish tank. [toc] Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank ***TABLE**** Best Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 The Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 Filter (Buy Online) has everything you need to keep water clean and healthy for your fish, plus some cool extra features too. It comes with four different filtration stages that remove debris from the water so your tank stays clear and safe for your fish to live in. Plus, it has a built-in heater which keeps the temperature of your tank consistent so you don't have to worry about fluctuations or sudden changes affecting your fish. The OASE Indoor Aquatics Biomaster Thermo 600 is a reliable and high-quality filter that will keep your water crystal clear. It has four stages of filtration, including a pre-filter module for particle removal, two main filters to clean detritus from the water before it reaches the pump area, an activated carbon stage with 45 ppi pores to trap organic chemicals and reduce odors, and finally a polishing cartridge which traps any particles left after the other three stages have removed most of the large debris. Plus, it comes with Hel-X Biomedia that has an extremely large surface area for beneficial bacteria colonies that break down nitrogenous waste. Overall, this filter can be used on 70 to 160 gallon tanks, and if you want peace of mind about how well your tank is being filtered and heated – this canister filter is perfect for an Oscar tank. Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter The Eheim Pro 4+ 600 Filter (Buy Online) is the best filter for an oscar fish tank because it’s easy to use and maintain while providing a high level of filtration. It has a self-priming pump that makes starting up very simple, plus its safety hose adapter means you won’t have to worry about any accidents with this unit. We recommend going with their Pro 4+ model which has been designed specifically for tanks containing Oscars and other larger species of fish. This filter comes with everything you need including extra media baskets, spray bars, adjustable flow control valves, and more. Polar Aurora 4-Stage External Canister Filter 525GPH with 9-watt UV Light The Polar Aurora External Canister Filter (Buy Online) is an affordable yet high-quality canister filter and it has four stages of filtration (biological, mechanical, chemical and UV) that keep your fish tank crystal clear without taking up much space. If you have an Oscar Fish Tank, then you know that they are messy fish. They produce a lot of waste and your tank needs to be cleaned frequently. That's where this filter comes in handy. It can handle tanks up to 200 gallons and has a maximum flow rate of 525GPH from the built in pump. This is more than enough power for even the messiest Oscar Tanks. This unit also comes with three different media trays so you can use any type of filtration media you want - bio balls, sponges or ceramic rings. And not only does this filter provide excellent water filtration, it comes with a built in 9 Watt UV Light that allows it to easily control algae spores/bacteria and maintain clear water in your aquarium at all times. Fluval FX4 High Performance Canister Filter, External Aquarium Filter The Fluval FX4 (Buy Online) is an external filter designed specifically for aquariums housing oscars and other large tropical fish species like cichlids and catfish. There's also three different filtration stages included in this setup which will ensure that all the waste produced by your fish gets filtered out quickly leaving behind crystal clear water every time. The Fluval FX4 is the best aquarium filter on the market because it has a patented self-priming pump that moves 700 US Gal of water per hour. It also comes with all of the media you need to get started filtering your tank immediately after installation - no extra purchases necessary. This external aquarium filter is easy to install, maintain, and clean. With its multi-stage filtration process this canister filter removes harmful toxins from your water while providing superior mechanical filtration through three stages of bio-filtration using BioMax cartridges, activated carbon pads and biological ceramic rings . This powerful filter pumps out 700 US Gal (2650 L) of water per hour so it's perfect for even the largest freshwater or saltwater tanks up to 250 US Gal (900 L) Best Hang On Back Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank AquaClear Fish Tank Filter, Aquarium Filter for 60- to 110-Gallon Aquariums The AquaClear 110 (Buy Online) is a hang-on back filter that has an adjustable flow rate, and it'll last you for years. AquaClear filters make it easy, convenient, and affordable to keep your tank clean without all of the complexity and hassle of a canister filter. The AquaClear 110 filter has been designed with the hobbyist in mind; and it provides superior mechanical, chemical as well as biological filtration media at an unbeatable price point. It's ideal for aquariums up to 110 gallons (416 liters) in size and it has a flow rate of 500 U.S. gallons per hour (1,900 L/h). SeaChem – Large Aquarium Fish Tank Filter, Tidal 110 Gallon The SeaChem Tidal 110 Gallon Aquarium Filter (Buy Online) is one of the few hang on back filters specifically designed for Oscars and other larger tropical fish tanks (up to 110 gallons). This means that it has more than twice the capacity of other hang on back filters so there's no need to clean out debris as often. It also has an adjustable flow control valve - just set the dial where you want it and let the self-priming pump do its job. You can also use any kind of filtration media without worrying about clogging since the patented impeller design keeps everything running smoothly Best Sponge Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Bacto-Surge Hikari Aquarium Solutions Foam Filter, 125 Gallons Bacto-Surge Foam Filters (Buy Online) are made from a durable foam material which allows them to last much longer than traditional sponge filters. They also don't require any electricity or have any moving parts, so you can use these as a cheap and reliable way to supplement the filtration in your Oscar tank. Best Under Gravel Filter for an Oscar Fish Tank Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter, 18-Inch by 72-Inch Lee's 125/135 Premium Undergravel Filter (Buy Online) is the best you can get for an Oscar fish tank. It has a multi-level plate design made of high-quality plastic, so it lasts longer than standard models. And this under gravel filter can also be used to build an anoxic filter to lower nitrates, which improves overall water quality and it will also help keep your fish healthy and disease free. Best Filter Media for an Oscar Fish Tank Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks Premium Authentic Pinky Filter Floss for Fish Tanks (Buy Online) provides two layers of filtration to keep your tank cleaner & running more efficiently than ever before. It's made in the USA from high-quality materials that are safe for both fish and humans alike. It also reduces maintenance time because it lasts 2x as long as other brands on the market today. AQUANEAT Aquarium Filter Sponge Open Cell Foam Sheet Bio Sponge Filter Media Pad Aquaneat's Black Fine Filter Sponge (Buy Online) is made with natural materials that are non-toxic and safe for fish & plants. It provides mechanical filtration by trapping dirt particles in the pores of the sponge material so they do not get through into your aquarium water where they could cause harm to your aquatic pets. The open cell structure of the Aquaneat Sponge means you can simply rinse it under running water when needed instead of having to replace expensive filters every few weeks. And we've tested these pads with many different types of tanks and they are one of the most durable and economical ways to keep the water in a fish tank free of debris. Seachem Matrix, 4 L / 1 gal. Seachem Matrix (Buy Online) removes ammonia, nitrite and nitrate from the water column in freshwater tanks through a process called denitrification. It does this by providing an environment where beneficial bacteria thrive and convert harmful toxins into less harmful forms (even anoxic bacteria that break down nitrates). This process reduces stress on aquarium inhabitants by reducing their exposure to these toxins while also maintaining pristine water quality in your aquarium Eheim AEH2507051 Mech Filter Media for Aquarium, 1-Liter Eheim Ceramic Cylinders (Buy Online) are reusable so you don't have to waste money on disposable filter cartridges or sponges every time you clean your tank. Simply rinse them out in decholorinated water when they get clogged, and you can reuse them indefinitely. Oscar Fish Tank Size A 70 gallon tank will work for an Oscar, but it's better to keep them in a 100+ gallon tank. The bigger the better. More space promotes greater health while also keeping them happier which in turn reduces the risk of stress and disease. Oscar Fish Water Parameters Oscar Fish Water pH Level Oscars prefer water with a pH between 6 and 8, but they prefer slightly acidic water and they can live in water that has a pH as low as 5.5 quite comfortably. Oscar Fish Nitrite Level The nitrite level in your tank should be at 0 ppm once your tank has cycled. Nevertheless, a weekly 10% water change with fresh water from the tap is always good early on in the cycle to reduce nitrites. Oscar Fish Nitrate Level To keep your Oscar healthy you want to keep your nitrate levels between 10-40 ppm. It's important that you test the water with a Nitrate Test Kit (Buy Online) to ensure the nitrate levels in your tank aren't reaching dangerous levels. If the nitrates in your tank stay consistently over 40ppm, it’s time to clean or replace old filters, clean out uneaten food, vacuum the gravel, and do at least a 25% water change. Oscar Fish Water Temperature The ideal water temperature for Oscars is 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit (23 - 27 Celcius). It's important to remember that Oscar Fish are from the Amazon Rainforest and they need a heater in their tank especially during the winter time If you want to know what size heater you need for your tank you can use our Fish Tank Heater Calculator (Click Here) Oscar Fish Water Change Water changes are an essential part of fish keeping for any type of fish. This is especially true when you have larger fish like oscars that produce more waste. Water changes, or partial water changes, should be done every 1-2 weeks depending on how many fish you keep in your tank Why Is My Oscar Fish Tank Cloudy Fish tank water can become cloudy for a few reasons. The most usual is that the aquarium is either experiencing a bacteria bloom or there is algae in the water column. If this is the case, you’ll need to do a 50%-75% water change immediately. You can also use an inline UV filter if water changes and regular tank maintenance aren't getting control of your cloudy water problem. How To Keep an Oscar Fish Tank Clean Water Changes Vacuum the Gravel Bed Cleaning the Filter Removing uneaten food from tank Check for any algae growth on plants or glass walls of aquarium and clean as needed Test the water regularly Do Oscar Fish Need a Filter Yes, Oscar fish need a filter because they are messy eaters that produce a lot of waste. The filter helps with this issue and also improves the water quality by converting harmful ammonia into less toxic nitrates.](https://thepetsupplyguy.com/wp-content/uploads/Best-Filter-for-Oscar-Fish-Tank-464x290.jpg)