For some time now the only available lighting options for reef keeping were T8 tubes, T5 Tubes and metal halide. The cheapest option is T8 tubes but these are not very bright, Ok for fish only systems, but not very good for keeping a reef aquarium.

T5's are much better and will keep quite a few corals thriving including softies and most LPS corals, having quite a few of these can create a attractive looking reef. But the power these use with many tubes can add up and create the possibility of the use of metal halide.

Metal halide is the brightest option and allows reefers to keep almost all corals including SPS. But these start at 150 watts and running these 8 to 12 hours a day can put a big increase on energy bills. At the moment that is the last thing that people want in the financial situation of the economy.

The problem with all these lighting options is the all need the bulbs replacing every 6 to 9 months increasing costs evan more. Bad to the environment in more ways than one. The impact on our finances lessening our budget for corals and other live stock.

With the introduction of LED lighting we can now have cheaper bills and not have to worry as much about changing them because of their long life span, up to five years is claimed by TMC on the new aqua beam. Having just installed these to my nano reef aquarium i can confirm they are great and have reduced my lighting bill 50% the overall cost can be expensive but with less usage of power and no changing of units. But I think it is worth it.

You can read about my mounting project and further review on my nano reef aquarium blog

Wrote by Gareth Pawley