This post will look at just a few types of aquarium lights/lighting, but is not meant as an exhaustive list.
These lights are primarily cutting edge, so if the reading is not familiar with these, it partly due to the fact that the aquarium industry (as per lighting) is generally quite behind in technology (sometimes as much as a decade). This problem of old technology especially is noticeable in terms such as “watts per gallon” which is extremely inaccurate when applied to newer technology aquarium lights such as LED Aquarium Lights as well as T5 and T2 Lights (although to a lesser degree).
LED Lights
LED Aquarium Lights have come a long ways in technology in just a few years, from previously being added lighting decoration (highlighting) or extremely pricey for mixed results as per high light need applications such as reef aquarium.
That said, the majority of LED Aquarium Lights on the market are still not reef or planted aquarium capable such as the Marine Double Bright or Ecoxotic Stunner. These two lights might work as supplemental lighting or even low light plant lighting, but not high light planted aquariums or reef marine aquarium.
The Maxspect and Current LED Lights are more capable, however these lights are still not using the emitter bin specifications of the LED emitters used by Tropic Marine Center AquaRay LED Lights, which are so precise that TMC has exclusive supply of these LED emitters and they are not available on the general market; for this reason the AquaRay AquaBeam LED lights have a more precise nanometer light output without the “spikes” with a much higher output of useful light energy per watt than other premium LED Aquarium Lights.
Also see this article for an LED Aquarium Light Review: LED Aquarium Lights, Lighting
T2 Lights
T2 Aquarium Lights are another newer innovation, although not of the high tech level of the TMC LED Lights, the T2 Lights present a more affordable option over LEDS and even the older T5 lights. In fact lumen per watt and useful light energy is better than the often much more pricey T5 light.
These T2 lights are easily linkable for extra lighting or larger aquariums, with a very useful rotating lens for focusing light energy, unique to these lights
The negative is lack of variations when compared to T5, as well workmanship is not to the high end level of the TMC AquaRay LED Lights (but then the price more than makes up for this)
SHO Lights
SHO Aquarium/Hydroponics Lights are an excellent cross over light, that only recently (the last couple of years) have some tech savvy planted freshwater (& some marine) fish keepers began to use.
This light has been used extensively by medical and hydroponics interests due to its simple self ballasted base, low cost in proportion to light output, and of coarse high PAR which is important in both Hydroponics and many medical studies that show better immune function, mental health, and more with high PAR High output lights, for which along with cost effectiveness have made these SHO lights quite popular in these commercial applications.
For aquariums, especially when used in a reflector or with Mylar in a hood, these aquariums can produce copious plant growth due to the high PAR energy produced per watt of energy consumed. In fact the 105 Watt SHO produces 6300 lumens, the equivalent of a standard 525 watt bulb.
For much more in depth information on the subject of lighting, please read this article:
Aquarium Lighting
For this website’s UV Light Replacement reference guide:
UV Bulbs
Quartz Heaters
