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LIGHTING CHART: CHART FOR CHOOSING THE BEST LIGHTING RETROFIT FOR A REEF AQUARIUM

Below is a chart to help determine the best retrofit aquarium light for your tank based on the dimensions of your tank and the types of corals in the tank.

We separate reef tanks into three categories based on the lighting needs of the organisms in the tank:
  • Reef tanks with soft corals and live rock (low wattage)
  • Reef tanks with soft corals, LPS corals and live rock (medium wattage)
  • Reef tanks with soft corals, LPS & SPS corals and live rock (high wattage)
Basically, soft corals and live rock need the least amount of light. LPS corals need more light that live rock and soft corals. And SPS corals need more light than live rock, soft corals and LPS corals.

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. For lights for tanks without a canopy, visit the Chart For Choosing the Best Hood Lighting for a Reef Aquarium.

CF = compact fluorescent (aka power compact)
MH = metal halide
T5 = T5 fluorescent

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
16" x 8" x 10"
5 gallons
 - 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W - 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W - 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W
20" x 10" x 12"
10 gallons
 - 20" SunPaq CF 1x40W - 20" SunPaq CF 1x40W - 20" SunPaq CF 1x40W
24" x 8" x 12"
10 gallons
 - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W
24" x 12" x 12"
15 gallons
 - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W - 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W
24" x 12" x 16"
20 gallons
 -24" SunPaq CF 1x65W -24" SunPaq CF 2x65W (65W total)

-24" Aqualight PC 2x65W (130W total) 		-24" SunPaq CF 2x65W (130W total)

-24" Aqualight CF 2x65W (130W total)
24" x 12" x 20"
25 gallons
 -24" SunPaq CF 2x65W (130W total)

-24" Aqualight CF 2x65W (130W total) 		-24" SunPaq CF 2x65W (130W total)

-24" Aqualight CF 2x65W (130W total) 		-ONE 24" SunPaq CF 2x65W & ONE 24" SunPaq CF 1x65W (195W total)
30" x 12" x 12"
20 gallons
 -TWO 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (64W total) -TWO 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (64W total) -TWO 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (64W total)
30" x 12" x 18"
29 gallons
 -FOUR 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (128W total) -FOUR 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (128W total) -SIX 15" SunPaq CF 1x32W (192W total)
36" x 15" x 16"
40 gallons
 -36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (96W total) -36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		-36" Aqualight CF 2x96 (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total)
36" x 15" x 20"
50 gallons
-36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		-36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		- TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W & ONE 36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (288W total)
36" x 18" x 18"
50 gallons
 -36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		-36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W & ONE 36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (288W total)
36" x 18" x 20"
55 gallons
 -36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (192W total)

-36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (192W total) 		-36" Hamilton Metal Halide 1X175W MH, 2X96W CF (367W Total)

-36" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 1X150W MH, 2X65W CF (280W Total)

-ONE 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W & ONE 36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (288W total) 		-36" Hamilton Metal Halide 1X175W MH, 2X96W CF (367W Total)

-36" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 1X150W MH, 2X65W CF (280W Total)

-TWO 36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (384W total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (384W total)
36" x 18" x 24"
65 gallons
 -36" Hamilton Metal Halide 1X175W MH, 2X96W CF (367W Total)

-36" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 1X150W MH, 2X65W CF (280W Total)

-ONE 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W & ONE 36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (288W total) 		-36" Hamilton Metal Halide 1X175W MH, 2X96W CF (367W Total)

-36" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 1X150W MH, 2X65W CF (280W Total)

-TWO 36" Aqualight CF 2x96W (384W total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2x96W (384W total) 		-36" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-36" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 1X150W MH, 2X65W CF (280W Total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq PC 2x96W & ONE 36" SunPaq CF 1x96W (384W total)
48" x 13" x 16"
40 gallons
 -48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofit 2X54W (108W total) -48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total) 		-48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total)
48" x 13" x 20"
55 gallons
 -48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total) 		-48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150WMH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)
48" x 15" x 18"
55 gallons
 -48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total) 		-48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54W (216W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150WMH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)
48" x 18" x 20"
75 gallons
 -48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (260W total)

-TWO 48" Nova Extreme T5 Retrofits 4X54 (216W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (520W total)
48" x 18" x 24"
90 gallons
 - -48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (520W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W PC (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W PC (492W Total)

-THREE 48" Aqualight PC 4x65W (780W total)
48" x 18" x 30"
120 gallons
 -48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (520W total) 		-48" Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-THREE 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (780W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-THREE 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (780W total)
48" x 24" x 20"
100 gallons
 - -48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (520W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)
48" x 24" x 24"
120 gallons
 -48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (520W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (492W Total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-THREE 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (780W total)
48" x 24" x 30"
150 gallons
 -48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150WMH, 2X96W CF (492W Total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-THREE 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (780W total) 		-48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-FOUR 48" Aqualight CF 4x65W (1040W total)
60" x 18" x 20"
100 gallons
 -THREE 20" SunPaq PC 1x96W QUAD (288W total) -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq PC 1x96W QUAD (576W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq PC 1x96W QUAD (576W total)
60" x 18" x 24"
125 gallons
 -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq PC 1x96W QUAD (576W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq CF 1x96W QUAD (576W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)
60" x 18" x 30"
140 gallons
 -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq CF 1x96W QUAD (576W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total) -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (Not listed in site. Call to order.) (942W Total)
60" x 24" x 24"
150 gallons
 -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (542W Total)

-SIX 20" SunPaq CF 1x96W QUAD (576W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-NINE 20" SunPaq CF 1x96W QUAD (864W total) 		-60" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W PC (Not listed in site. Call to order.) (942W Total)

-NINE 20" SunPaq CF 1x96 QUAD (864W total)
60" x 24" x 30"
185 gallons
 -60" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (692W Total)

-NINE 20" SunPaq CF 1x96 QUAD (864W total) 		-60" Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (Not listed in site. Call to order.) (717W Total) -60" Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (Not listed in site. Call to order.) (942W Total)
72" x 18" x 18"
125 gallons
 -TWO 36" Aqualight CF 2X96W (384W total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W (384W total) 		-TWO 36" Aqualight CF 2X96W (384W total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W (384W total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (576W total)
72" x 18" x 24"
135 gallons
 -TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (576W total) -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W (768W total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (960W total)
72" x 18" x 30"
170 gallons
 -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (576W total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (942W Total) -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (942W Total)

72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)
72" x 24" x 20"
150 gallons
 -TWO 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (576W total) -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" Coralife CF 2X96W (768W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W (768W Total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (960W Total)
72" x 24" x 24"
180 gallons
 -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" Coralife CF 2X96W (768W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W (768W Total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (960W Total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (942W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-SIX 36" Coralife CF 2X96W (1152W Total)
72" x 24" x 30"
225 gallons
 -72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X175W MH, 2X96W CF (717W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-FOUR 36" SunPaq CF 2X96W & TWO 36" SunPaq CF 1X96W (960W Total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (942W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)

-SIX 36" Coralife CF 2X96W (1152W Total) 		-72" Hamilton Metal Halide 3X250W MH, 2X96W CF (942W Total)

-72" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 3X150W MH, 4X96W CF (834W Total)
96" x 24" x 24"
240 gallons
 -TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (1084W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total)

-FOUR 48" Coralife CF 4X65W (1040W Total) 		-TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total)

-TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (1384W Total) 		-TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total)

-TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (1384W Total)
96" x 24" x 30"
300 gallons
 -TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total)

-TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X175W MH, 2X96W CF (1384W Total) 		-TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (1384W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total) 		-TWO 48" Hamilton Metal Halide 2X250W MH, 2X96W CF (1384W Total)

-TWO 48" Aqualight Pro Retrofit 2X150W MH, 2X96W CF (984W Total)