lighting

Metal Halide vs LED

Reef lighting comparison

Definition

Metal Halide (MH) and LED are the two dominant reef-tank lighting technologies. MH delivers higher PAR with shimmer + better color rendition; LED offers programmable spectrum + lower power consumption + longer bulb life.

Practical use in aquariums

MH (250W or 400W bulbs): 250-500+ PAR at typical 12" depth, replace bulbs annually, runs hot (fans/cooling needed). LED (Radion, Hydra, Reef Brite): 200-400 PAR depending on model + height, programmable channels, 30,000+ hour lifespan, runs cool. Modern reef-keeping has shifted ~80% to LED but specific tanks still benefit from MH supplementation.

How Metal Halide vs LED fits the bigger picture

Understanding Metal Halide vs LED matters because it's connected to broader husbandry decisions: lighting drives photosynthesis, coloration, and growth - get it wrong and corals/anemones bleach or recess.

Browse the Fast Aquatics care library for full husbandry tutorials covering Metal Halide vs LED in context.

Aquarium-keeping fundamentals

Whatever specific topic brought you here, four fundamentals govern long-term aquarium success: water quality, parameter stability, biological filtration, and species-appropriate husbandry. Skip any one and the others struggle to compensate.

Water quality: ammonia + nitrite at zero, nitrate under 30 ppm freshwater + 10 ppm reef. Test weekly with API or Salifert kits. Use our water parameter checker to score your readings against your tank type.

Parameter stability: stable wrong parameters beat fluctuating ideal parameters. Most fish tolerate a wide pH range if it's stable. Sudden swings of 0.4+ pH or 5+°F kill fish faster than chronic suboptimal values. Use temperature controllers (Inkbird) + automated dosing for consistency.

Biological filtration: the bacterial colony on your filter media + rock + substrate is the engine. Never replace all media at once. Use our filter turnover calculator to size correctly.

Species-appropriate husbandry: research adult size, territoriality, diet, and tankmate compatibility before purchase. Use our tank stocking calculator + compatibility guides.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an aquarium take to set up? 4-6 weeks for full cycling + first stocking. Use our cycle ETA calculator + how long does cycling take.

What's the best aquarium for beginners? 20-gallon long. Big enough for parameter stability, small enough for budget + space. See beginner picks.

Why does my fish keep dying? 5 leading causes: uncycled tank, wrong species pairings, no quarantine, undersized tank, neglected water-change schedule. See full diagnosis.