Gear
LED lights: what reef keepers commonly use
LED fixtures, from one small pendant over a nano to app-controlled panels. Below are 3 items we see often, each with our honest note and where to view it in the UK and the US.
We sell nothing and earn nothing from these links. Prices are as each retailer's page showed them on the date checked, and they change. How this guide works
Listings checked . How we check
What should you look for in reef lights?
- Light at the depth your corals sit (PAR) and the area one unit covers. Watts on the box say little.
- A schedule with a slow ramp, so new corals can be brought up to full light over weeks.
- How many units your footprint needs. Wider tanks usually need two or more.
Commonly used reef lights
Specs are as published on the listed pages. Where the US and UK pages give different figures, we show both.
AI Prime 16HD
Brand: AquaIllumination
Our note. A small app-controlled reef light that suits nano and small tanks, with more units added as the tank grows. One unit covers a limited area, and stronger-light corals may need two.
Key specs
- 55 W (UK page); BRS lists 55 W at the wall and 59 W max
- Coverage about 20 x 20 in per unit
- 16 LEDs plus moonlight
- Bluetooth control via myAI app
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for AI Prime 16HD in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £259.99
- Checked
US listing
Bulk Reef Supply (US): opens the retailer's page for AI Prime 16HD in the United States- Price as shown
- US$279.88
- Checked
Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue
Brand: Kessil
Our note. A compact pendant light with two simple dials for colour and intensity, popular over nano tanks. It creates attractive shimmer but covers a small area, and mixed reefs over about 24 in usually need two.
Key specs
- 40 W
- Covers 12 to 24 in area when mounted 12 to 24 in above water
- Tunable from 10,000 K to actinic
- 0-10 V control input
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £249.95
- Checked
US listing
Bulk Reef Supply (US): opens the retailer's page for Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue in the United States- Price as shown
- US$289.00
- Checked
EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 Pro
Brand: EcoTech Marine
Our note. A full-spectrum fixture with wide colour control and UV channels, chosen by keepers growing demanding corals. It is expensive per square foot and coverage figures differ between listings.
Key specs
- 105 W max
- 50 LEDs including UV and violet
- 7 x 7 x 1.5 in
- Mobius app control over Bluetooth
UK listing
Kraken Corals (UK): opens the retailer's page for EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 Pro in the United Kingdom- Price as shown
- £464.99
- Checked
US listing
Bulk Reef Supply (US): opens the retailer's page for EcoTech Radion XR15 G6 Pro in the United States- Price as shown
- US$549.88
- Checked