LED Lighting for Reef Tanks: A UK Buyer's Guide

Reef Tank Lighting — What Actually Matters

Lighting questions dominate reef forums. Here's a straightforward breakdown.

Key Factors

PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation): The measure of usable light energy for corals. Forget wattage — PAR is what matters.

SPS corals — 200–400+ PAR
LPS corals — 75–200 PAR
Soft corals — 50–150 PAR

Spectrum: Corals primarily use blue and UV wavelengths. Full-spectrum lights show natural colours during viewing.

Coverage: Always check the manufacturer's footprint — ideally with independent PAR maps, not just marketing claims.

UK Market Options (2026)

Mid-range (£150–£400):

AI Prime 16 HD — solid for nano to 60cm tanks, excellent app control, great value
Maxspect Ethereal — decent output, good spectrum control for the price
Kessil A160/A360 — beautiful shimmer effect, though limited coverage per unit
Nicrew/Hipargero — budget-friendly, punches above its weight for softy/LPS tanks

Premium (£400+):

EcoTech Radion G6 — the benchmark for SPS. Fantastic PAR spread, excellent app ecosystem
AI Hydra 32/64 HD — great PAR, good coverage, slightly more affordable than Radion
Kessil AP9X — stunning shimmer, excellent PAR, premium results

The Used Market

Reef lights depreciate fast. A perfectly good light hits the second-hand market at 40–60% of retail when hobbyists upgrade.

Check: hours of use, physical condition (salt creep, cracked lenses), and firmware/app compatibility.

Second-hand reef lighting from UK sellers is available on Reefsy's equipment section.

PAR Meters

For serious coral growth, measuring actual PAR is worthwhile. Options include the Seneye Reef, the Apogee MQ-510, or borrowing one from a local reef club.

General Guidance

For a mixed reef under 60cm: AI Prime 16 HD — widely considered the best value in the hobby.

For a 90–120cm SPS-dominant tank: Radion G6 or AI Hydra 64 HD.

For soft coral and LPS tanks: Almost any mid-range LED will do. Better to put the savings into coral instead.

What lights are people running and what's been worth the investment?