With all aquarium light systems available today, it can be a headache trying to decide which one is best for your reef tank. Each type of lighting fixture has its own advantages and disadvantages. If you are planning to have reef grade lighting you might want to read Before You Buy Reef Tank Lighting.
Aquarium lighting fixtures fall into 4 basic types:
Light Strips
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- Are either laid on the top of or clamped to the edge of the tank.
- These fixtures normally contain one or more fluorescent and/or power compact lights.
Light Hoods
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- Are units which contain light bulbs and are placed directly on the top on an aquarium.
- Can house combinations of fluorescents, power compacts and/or HQI metal halides.
Light Pendants
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- Usually house metal halide fixtures.
- Suspended from the ceiling directly over an open tank.
Light Canopies
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- Box-like structures which mount on the tank.
- Normally match the style of the aquarium stand.
- Can contain any number of light fixtures including fluorescent, power compact, HQI metal halides or LEDs.
