Lighting in a reef tank is really important. Not only does it create a beautiful environment, but choosing the right type of light is essential to the health of the coral.
Coral relies on zooxanthellae, algae in the coral tissue, to survive. Zooxanthellae rely on light. So, zooxanthellae use the waste from the coral and light to feed itself. In turn, it produces the oxygen that the coral needs to grow.
Without the right kind of light, the coral won’t survive. If you’re looking to the best nano reef light, you’re in the right place.
1. HIPARGERO LED Aquarium Light For Coral Reef Fish Nano Tank
This light from HIPARGERO is a cool design that attached to the side of a rimless tank and extends over the water. The bracket was specially made for nano tanks 10 to 18 inches long and the bracket extends so you can position it right where you want it over the tank.
The LEDs in this light were carefully chosen for a perfect balance of blue and white light meant to mimic the same light found on the ocean floor. The Cree royal blue, white, and blue lights work perfectly together, helping the color of your coral really pop.
It can be dimmed from 100% to 0% using a simple touch control so you can make adjustments depending on the type of coral and other aquatic life you have in your tank. There are two fans that operate quietly and help disperse heat to keep this light going as long as possible.
This light comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a one year warranty. They also have great customer service and try to respond to any questions within 24 hours, so there’s no risk to try this one.
2. Lominie LED Aquarium Light
Another great choice is this light from Lominie. This is a super bright LED light designed for nano aquariums. The light penetrates the tank and delivers a six-color spectrum of illumination, highlighting the beauty of your coral.
To install, place the clamp over the edge of the tank and use the two screws to tighten. The adjustable gooseneck makes it easy to position the light right where you want it. Plus, it’s rustproof so you don’t have to worry about splashing.
This light features four adjustable channels and comes with two different lenses to change the light from 60 to 180 degrees. The heat sink is made of aluminum, adding to the efficiency of the cooling system and extending the overall life of the light.
Settings can be controlled with simple remote control and you can adjust each channel individually. If you’re not happy with it, there’s a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee. If you decide to keep it, you’re covered by a 12-month warranty, too.
3. Fluval Sea Marine Nano Bluetooth LED
Next up is this awesome light from Fluval. If you’re looking for something that’s a high-tech, you have to check this one out. It’s easy to install, just place it on the side of a rimless tank and use the adjustable bracket to make sure it’s hitting the water just right.
One of the coolest things about this light is the programmable 24-hour light cycle. The light will automatically change throughout the day, making a gradual transition from sunrise to midday to sunset to night.
There are also pre-sets to choose from to create the look of different types of environments, including deep saw glo, color burst, or sunny reef. You can make changes independently, too. Everything is controlled with the Fluval app. Just download it on your phone, sync to the light, and you’re ready to go.
This light is made with an aluminum housing that helps keep water and humidity out and effectively dissipates heat. That’s not all, it also comes with a 3-year warranty.
4. Bozily Aquarium Light for Coral Reef Aquatic Plants Growth
The Bozily aquarium light has an interesting design because it’s actually two lights in one. Each has a C-clamp bracket that attaches to the edge of the tabletop where the tank is set up so you can position one on each side or wherever you need to benefit your coral.
These lights are made for a 10 or 20-gallon tank. Each features four brightness settings (10%, 25%, 50%, and 100%) and uses simple buttons to make adjustments. There are 88 colored LEDs in all (44 on each light) and the combination of white and blue creates a natural look.
Each light features a cold forging aluminum heat sink for efficient cooling and an acrylic case that resists splashes. It also features overcurrent, overheating, and overvoltage protection so it’s extremely safe to use.
Here’s the best part: the bulbs are replaceable which means you can keep using these lights for a really long time. This set comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 24-month warranty so if anything does go wrong, you’re covered.
5. KINGBO LED Aquarium Light Nano
Next up is this KINGOBO LED light that features full-spectrum six-band light that includes cool white, blue, red, and green. The combination of these lights provides an ideal color spectrum for your reef and all the fish in your tank.
This bulb is designed to fit any standard E26 or E27 socket so you can use it with a lot of standard lamps. It features a 90-degree optical lens to make sure the light is concentrated enough to maximize growth.
An upgraded aluminum heat sink has improved heat dissipation which keeps the bulb cool even after extended periods of use, extending the overall life of the bulb. Overall, the design reducing light loss by 30% and improves lumen output.
This light is covered by a 12-month warranty. It also has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee so you can return it at that time if you’re not happy for a 100 percent refund.
6. ABI Tuna Blue LED Bulb Coral Reef
Another great option if you’re shopping for a bulb is this one from ABI. It combines eleven separate LEDs that give your tank the look of a natural coral reef. The light has a saturated blue tone that reveals contrasts and makes colored coral pop.
The broad-spectrum light provides your coral the various wavelengths they need to thrive without being overwhelming. This helps them grow strong and healthy without having to worry about bleaching.
This bulb fits into any standard E26 socket and uses only 12 watts of energy. Because it gives off minimal heat, it was made to last a long time. In fact, this light promises at least 50,000 hours of light. It’s also covered by a 3-year warranty.
7. MICMOL Smart LED Aquarium Light
This light from MICMOL has a really cool, modern-looking design. It’s carved from a single piece of aluminum that’s lightweight and super durable. A genius bracket makes it easy to install over the rim of the tank and you can quickly adjust the light to get it right where you need it.
The light itself features a full HD spectrum that lights your tank perfectly. It includes cool white, royal blue, blue, red, green, warm white, and violet to create a range of lighting effects.
A smart controller with a long, 78-inch cable is easy and convenient to use and there are several settings to play with. The remote itself features a digital clock and is used to adjust brightness and alternate between different settings, including manual and auto modes.
Auto mode cycles between six presets that mimic the light throughout the day, from dawn to midday to night. It transitions from sunrise to midday to sunset smoothly to create a natural-looking environment for your reef.
8. MarineLand Reef LED Strip Light
One of the easiest lights to install is this strip light from MarineLand. It adjusts between 18 and 24 inches and can be used on a variety of nano tanks. The LEDs have been upgraded and are now 20 percent brighter than previous models.
This light features a timer to automatically switch from daylight to nighttime settings. This creates a natural daylight cycle for your reef and replicates the deepwater light that corals need to thrive.
If you’re looking for something user-friendly and very straightforward and simple to use, this is a great choice. It comes with a one-year warranty and is available in three different sizes.
Selecting the Right Nano Reef Lighting Option
When choosing a light for a nano reef tank, it’s important to keep in mind that the lighting is about more than making the tank look pretty. Coral relies on proper lighting to grow so you have to be sure you choose the right one.
It’s important to give your coral enough light but not too much. While corals need light to survive, too much can actually damage them. In fact, too much light can actually kill them in only a few days.
That said, you don’t want to shock them with drastic light changes, either, so turning the light off and on maybe a bit too much, too.
Using a light with a dimming option gives you more control. Alternately, you can choose a light that has an automatic night and day cycle. This creates a more natural environment and a slow transition from day to night that the coral will love.
Pay attention to how the light is installed, too. We included options that sit on the rim of the tank, clamp on the table supporting the tank, and one light that sits across the tank. Each of these designs has its perks.
Attaching the light to the side of the tank is simple and gives you a decent amount of control over where the light source is positioned. Some have goosenecks so you can position the light just so. Others only allow you to move the light up and down or left to right.
Lights that clamp onto the tabletop are some of the most versatile. You can place them anywhere around the table and the gooseneck design lets you change the angle and position them exactly where you need them.
Strip lights are the least customizable but can be very effective depending on your setup. They sit across the top of the tank and provide equal lighting from one end to the other.
There really isn’t a right or wrong installation but some may be better suited to your tank than others. Choose the one that works best with your setup.
One more thing, be sure to choose a waterproof light that’s made of aluminum or some other durable, lightweight material is important, too. The better the material, the longer the light will last.
Conclusion
When choosing a light for a nano reef tank, it’s important to keep in mind that you’re looking for something that’s more than decorative. Coral depends on the right kind of light to thrive so it’s important to choose the right one.
There are several designs to choose from and the best one is whichever one works best for your setup. Some need a light that is more precise and adjustable while others would do fine with equal light across the whole tank.
Remember that too much light can be deadly for a reef tank so it’s also really important to choose one that either allows you to dim the light or has an automatic day to night cycle to create a more natural environment.
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