This chart is a salt water and reef aquarium lighting guide. It will help you determine the best aquarium light for your tank based on:

  • the dimensions & gallons of your tank (e.g. 75 Gallon 48" x 18" x 20" 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
We highly recommend reading our Buying a Reef Light article. It will give you insight into why some lights are better than other lights.

NOTE: For those with existing canopies, you should look at the Chart For Choosing the Best Retrofit 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)
Low Wattage:
Reef Tanks with Soft Corals and Live Rock Only
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
20" x 10" x 12"
10 gallons
LED LIGHTS
- Fluval Sea Nano & Desktop Marine Spectrum LED Light, 20W

- 18-24" Coralife Seascape LED Light Fixture

LED LIGHTS
- Fluval Sea Nano & Desktop Marine Spectrum LED Light, 20W
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
18" x 16" x 20"
20 gallons HEXAGON

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
18" x 18" x 18"
21 gallons Red Sea Reefer Nano

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- 18-24" Coralife Seascape LED Fixture

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

20" x 21 " x 18"
30 gallons CUBE

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- 18-24" Coralife Seascape LED Fixture
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED
23" x 20" x 24"
35 gallons HEXAGON
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED
LED LIGHTS

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LED

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

24" x 8" x 12"
10 gallons LONG
LED LIGHTS
- 18-24" Coralife Seascape LED Fixture
LED LIGHTS
- 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixture 32W


LED LIGHTS
- TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (30W Total)

- TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (30W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixture 32W

24" x 12" x 12"
15 gallons
LED LIGHTS
- 18-24" Coralife Seascape LED Fixture


LED LIGHTS
- 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixture 32W



24" x 12" x 16"
20 gallons HIGH


24" x 12" x 20"
25 gallons
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (30W Total)

- TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (each) Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- 24" Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixture 32W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

- 23" Zetlight 90W LED Reef Fixture

24" x 15" x 21"
26 gallons BOW

(You'll need to check the dimensions of the light to make sure it fits on the rectangular part of the tank. The tank may bow in a manner that leaves the light hanging over the edge of your tank.)
LED LIGHTS
-TWO 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixtures 32W (64W Total)


LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W


-TWO 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixtures 32W (64W Total)

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED


24" x 20" x 20"
34 gallon Red Sea Reefer 170
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

-TWO 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixtures 32W (64W Total)


LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

-TWO 24'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixtures 32W (64W Total)


LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

- Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef Light

- 23" Zetlight 90W LED Reef Fixture

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

24" x 12" x 24"
30 gallons HIGH

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- 23" Zetlight 90W LED Reef Fixture

- Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef Fixture
27 " x 24" x 28"
60 gallons HEXAGON
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W


- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture


- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED

LED LIGHTS
- Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LED Fixture

- Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LED



30" x 12" x 12"
20 gallons LONG
LED LIGHTS
- 30-36" Coralife Seascape LED Fixture

- TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (30W Total)

LED LIGHTS
- TWO Kessil A80 Tuna Blue LEDs 15W (30W Total)


LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)
30" x 12" x 18"
29 gallons

LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)
30" x 15" x 21"
36 gallons BOW

(You'll need to check the dimensions of the light to make sure it fits on the rectangular part of the tank. The tank may bow in a manner that leaves the light hanging over the edge of your tank.)
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)

LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)
34" x 24" x 21"
30 gallons CORNER
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LED 40W
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture
LED LIGHTS
- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W

- Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LED 90W Package (w/ Controller & Gooseneck)

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)

-TWO Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (200W Total)

36" x 12" x 16"
30 gallons
36" x 12" x 20
38 gallons
36" x 18" x 16"
40 gallons BREEDER
36" x 16" x 21"
46 gallons BOW

(You'll need to check the dimensions of the light to make sure it fits on the rectangular part of the tank. The tank may bow in a manner that leaves the light hanging over the edge of your tank.)
36" x 15" x 20"
50 gallons BREEDER
36" x 18" x 18"
50 gallons BREEDER
36" x 20" x 21"
54 gallon Red Sea Reefer 250
36" x 18" x 20"
55 gallons BREEDER
36" x 18" x 24"
65 gallons BREEDER
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)

-Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Light

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)

-TWO 36'' Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED Fixture 46W (104W Total)

- 34.6" Zetlight 160W LED Reef Fixture


38" x 27" x 22"
54 gallons CORNER
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)

- 34.6" Zetlight 160W LED Reef Fixture

-Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Light

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)

- 34.6" Zetlight 160W LED Reef Fixture

-Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Light

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture
LED LIGHTS
-TWO Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue LEDs 40W (80W Total)

-TWO Maxspect Jump MJ-L165 65W LEDs (130W Total)

-
Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Light

- Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- 34.6" Zetlight 160W LED Reef Fixture

48" x 13" x 12"
33 gallons LONG
48" x 13" x 16"
40 gallons LONG
48" x 13" x 20"
55 gallons



48" x 15" x 18"
55 gallons LONG






48" x 13" x 24"
65 gallons HIGH
48" x 18" x 22"
72 gallons BOW

(You'll need to check the dimensions of the light to make sure it fits on the rectangular part of the tank. The tank may bow in a manner that leaves the light hanging over the edge of your tank.)
- TWO Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs
48" x 20" x 21"
74 gallon Red Sea Reefer 350
48" x 18" x 20"
75 gallons


48" x 18" x 24"
90 gallons
48" x 24" x 25"
95 gallons WAVE
48" x 18" x 30"
110 gallons HIGH
LED LIGHTS


-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-ONE or TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-TWO Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
48" x 24" x 20"
100 gallons


48" x 24" x 24"
120 gallons
48" x 24" x 30"
150 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef Lights

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights


-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-TWO Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
60" x 20" x 22"
92 gallon Red Sea Reefer 450
60" x 18" x 20"
100 gallons
60" x 18" x 24"
125 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

60" x 18" x 30"
140 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

LED LIGHTS

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-TWO Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
60" x 24" x 24"
150 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDS 100W (300W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures
60" x 24" x 30"
185 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

LED LIGHTS

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-TWO Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
72" x 18" x 18"
125 gallons
72" x 18" x 24"
135 gallons
LED LIGHTS
-THREE Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total)

- Kessil 3X A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Goosenecks)

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures


72" x 18" x 30"
170 gallons

LED LIGHTS
-THREE Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total)

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Kessil 3X A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Goosenecks)

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-TWO Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
72" x 24" x 20"
150 gallons


LED LIGHTS
-THREE Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total)

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Kessil 3X A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Goosenecks)

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs 100W (300W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures
72" x 24" x 25"
150 gallons BOW

(You'll need to check the dimensions of the light to make sure it fits on the rectangular part of the tank. The tank may bow in a manner that leaves the light hanging over the edge of your tank.)


LED LIGHTS
-THREE Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total)

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Kessil 3X A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Goosenecks)

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs 100W (300W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

72" x 24" x 24"
180 gallons

LED LIGHTS
-THREE Kessil A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total)

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture

- Kessil 3X A360X Tuna Blue LEDs 90W (270W Total) Package (w/ Controller & Goosenecks)

-THREE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef LEDs 100W (300W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures


72" x 24" x 29"
210 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-FOUR Hydor Aqamai 100W Reef Lights 100W (400W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures


72" x 24" x 30"
225 gallons
LED LIGHTS
-FOUR
-FOUR Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (400W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-THREE Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights

96" x 24" x 24"
240 gallons
LED LIGHTS

-FIVE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-FIVE Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (500W Total)

-TWO Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

LED LIGHTS

-FIVE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-FIVE Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (500W Total)

-THREE Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-TWO Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-FOUR Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights
96" x 24" x 30"
300 gallons
LED LIGHTS
-FIVE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-FOUR Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (400W Total)

-THREE Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

LED LIGHTS
-FIVE Zetlight UFO Z8 90W LED Reef Aquarium Lights

-THREE Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights

-FOUR Hydor Aqamai Reef LEDs 100W (400W Total)

-THREE Kessil AP9X LED Aquarium Lights

-THREE Ecotech Marine Radion XR30 G6 Blue LED Light Fixtures

-FOUR Kessil A500X LED Aquarium Lights