REEF LIGHTING

Fluorescent Lights  - These lights are not at all the best source for reef tanks unless you have many fluorescent lights, if you do have these lights for a reef tank then the whole top of the tank must be covered with the lights. I would recommend fluorescent lights if you plan on keeping only hardy soft corals such as some mushrooms and maybe some polyps, otherwise any other coral will most likely die with this kind of lighting.

Power Compacts  - These lights are very good for reef tanks because they have high intensity and take up a small amount of space over the tank. I think these lights are one of the most popular reef lighting types out there. With these lights you can keep almost all corals including hard corals, soft corals, clams, anemones, and more.

Metal Halides - These lights are very very intense and may not always be a good type of lighting. They are very intense; however, these lights do get very hot making the tanks temperature rise and usually a fan is needed to cool off the top of the tank. Other than that, I would say these are pretty good reef lights and are good for all corals, clams, and more.

Reflectors  - Reflectors are really helpful on reef tanks because it helps reflect all the light into the tank rather than to the side of the tank or elsewhere. Reflectors direct all the light in the center of the tank making the intensity stronger on the inhabitants.