Q. What kind and how much lighting do I need?
A. All photosynthetic corals have some sort of lighting requirement, some need only a small amount of light and others need intense amounts. Depending on the type of corals being kept, whether they are soft or hard, lighting kits made up of power-compacts, V.H.O., or metal halides should be used. A quick way of measuring the lighting on a tank is to put it in the terms of watts per gallon. A good start for reef tank lighting would be four to five watts per gallon. As the tank progresses and the corals that require more care and higher lighting are being introduced, upgrading the lighting so the tank has six to eight watts per gallon.

Hard or stony corals are those that secrete their own skeleton through the use of Calcium. These corals typically require intense lighting ranging from five watts per gallon and up. Soft corals tend to not build their own skeleton and typically attach to rocks for support. These corals are often able to be in lower lights; although, many can handle high lighting.

The Marine Scene has many different types of light bulbs and lighting systems that can make your tank a beautiful reef. No matter what size your tank is, our knowledgeable staff has the information to help you decide on the lighting system that is perfect for you.