The chart below will help you determine the best aquarium light for your tank based on:
  • the dimensions of your tank
  • the types of corals in the tank

Different types of corals need different amounts of light:
  • Low Wattage: Reef tanks with soft corals and live rock
  • Medium Wattage: Reef tanks with soft corals, LPS corals and live rock
  • High Wattage: Reef tanks with soft corals, LPS & SPS corals and live rock
 This Reef Chart is limited to retrofit lighting for reef tanks with existing canopies. Retrofit lights typically have the bulbs attached to an aluminum reflector that can be attached to the underside of a canopy.

NOTE: There are many LED pendant lights, such as the Kessil, Hydor Aqamai, Giesemann VERVve & Cobalt C-Ray that could fit in a canopy. However, your canopy will need to be tall enough to accommodate these lights. You would also want adequate distance from the bottom of the light to the top of the water. Also keep in mind the need for ventilation. For recommend pendant lights, and for tanks without a canopy, visit the Chart For Choosing the Best Hood Lighting for a Reef Aquarium.

We also have a Chart For Choosing the Best Lighting For Planted Tanks & Fish-Only Aquariums.
Aquarium Size
(length X width X depth) 		Reef Tank with Soft Corals and Live Rock Only Reef Tank with Soft Corals, LPS Corals and Live Rock Reef Tank with Soft Corals, LPS & SPS Corals and Live Rock
24" x 12" x 16"
20 gallons
 - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total)
 - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total)

 - - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total)
24" x 12" x 20"
25 gallons
 - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total)

NA
30" x 12" x 12"
20 gallons
 - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total) - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total) NA
30" x 12" x 18"
29 gallons
 - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total) - AquaticLife T5 HO Ballast Kit 4X24W (96W total) NA
36" x 15" x 16"
40 gallons


36" x 15" x 20"
50 gallons



36" x 18" x 18"
50 gallons


36" x 18" x 20"
55 gallons


36" x 18" x 24"
65 gallons


48" x 13" x 16"
40 gallons
 -

-



48" x 13" x 20"
55 gallons
 -



48" x 15" x 18"
55 gallons
 -


-
48" x 18" x 20"
75 gallons
-






48" x 18" x 24"
90 gallons











48" x 24" x 20"
100 gallons
 -







48" x 24" x 30"
150 gallons
 NA
NA NA
60" x 18" x 20"
100 gallons
 NA NA

NA
60" x 18" x 24"
125 gallons
 NA

NA NA
60" x 18" x 30"
140 gallons
 NA NA NA
60" x 24" x 24"
150 gallons
 NA NA NA
60" x 24" x 30"
185 gallons
 NA

NA NA
72" x 18" x 18"
125 gallons
 NA NA NA
72" x 18" x 24"
135 gallons
 NA NA NA
72" x 18" x 30"
170 gallons
 NA NA NA
72" x 24" x 20"
150 gallons
 NA NA NA
72" x 24" x 24"
180 gallons
 NA NA

NA
72" x 24" x 30"
225 gallons
 NA

NA NA

96" x 24" x 24"
240 gallons
 NA NA NA
96" x 24" x 30"
300 gallons
 NA NA NA