LED AQUARIUM LIGHTS; *TMC Aqua Ray; Aqua Beam & Gro Beam 500/1000 Marine/Freshwater Lighting Systems; With New Generation High Output Cree XR emitters!
*We are the original and most experienced online retailer of AquaRay LEDs
*Now Available; XG 1500 Ultima Wide Angle LEDs
*PAR LED Incandescent Base HO Lights
*Rio (Taam) Mini Sun LED Lighting Fixture
*We strive for the newest Technology LED; Including the upcoming AquaBeam 600 Ultra
For the best in High Output CFL Aquarium Lights: SHO Aquarium Lights
The SHO is a light proven in Greenhouse applications with PROVEN results for plant growing applications.
Also available standard Compact Fluorescent Lights
LED aquarium lights have come a long way; now they are even available for aquarium lighting (large units that rival MH are now available for reef tanks). LED lights along with SHO lights, T2, & T5 are the future of aquarium lighting, especially for planted freshwater or marine reef aquariums.
When an aquarium keeper (especially a high end reef of planted aquarium aquarist) considers that a LED Light lasts 50,000 hours vs. the many popular VHO Compact Fluorescents that only last 8,000 hours for an inferior light spectrum (especially for Cyanobacteria control), the price for a LED is actually less.
We are constantly researching LED which includes real-world use via our sister aquarium maintenance company & others. We attempt to sell only proven LED light systems. This includes LED manufacturers that understand the importance of PAR for both plants and corals (see: Aquarium Lighting; PAR)
*We are now also testing a PAR38, 6500K 12 watt LED (it is now available), 95 lumens per watt spot light that has a standard “screw in” base to fit standard incandescent light fixtures.
* TMC AquaRays latest offering now includes the improved AquaBeam 500 with new wide angle beam that include the latest generation CREE XR-E Power High Performance LED Emitters; which are best emitters and available Aquarium LED lights available in their price range.
These Cree Emitters should not be confused with Cree emitters sold for other lighting applications, as these do not produce the correct Kelvin/Nanometers of Light required for delicate marine and freshwater inhabitants and plants (think about why a CFL 10,000K daylight is so much different and more expensive than a common household CFL sold in hardware stores).
These newest offering from TMC easily out produce most popular HO and VHO lights when compared apples to apples (in terms of focused lumens, lumens per watt, PAR, much less wasted light energy in the yellow/green spectrum & more).
When you consider that these LED aquarium lights last 50,000 hours the price is less over the life of the fixture when compared to HO T5 such as the Current 39 watt that might be ½ the cost, but lasts only 1/6 the time and consumes 3-4 times the energy for the same outputs; These Aqua Ray Aquarium LED lights are the better value for your aquarium and the environment.
*We are now testing the wide angle XG 1500, 9000K LED (these are a very high output, but lower focused lumen LED, not meant as a replacement for the 1000 Ultra for deeper tanks)
*The latest technology LED Light Systems we sell require as little as 4% of the wattage for the same useful energy output as a traditional T8/T12 light. When the outdated “watts per gallon rule” for planted/reef aquariums (@ 4 watts per gallon) is applied to a TMC GroBeam (as an example), this can come out to requiring only .16 watts per gallon for the high PAR TMC LED Lights (see “Aquarium Lighting; Important Parameters”)
Even raw data from tests conducted with plant growth indicate these high output TMC LED lights require 14-28% of the wattage of popular HO T5 lights and Metal Halide lights (although this was a test for plants where a 12 Watt LED surpassed a 175 Watt MH in growth, the process of photosynthesis of plants and PAR requirements there of are the same whether terrestrial, freshwater or the symbiotic zooanthellic algae found in corals).
*It should also be noted with that these new technology LED emitters can be selected for the exact wavelength of light, thus almost no useless yellow or green light is emitted, so although the LED may seem less bright than some HO lights with the naked eye (such as T5s or MH) the actual output of light energy in spectrums we cannot see is much higher.
NOW AVAILABLE, THE AQUARAY/ AQUABEAM 500 LED light systems by Tropic Marine Center (TMC) of Europe
Currently the best available LED for the $ as per our tests due to the high output patented New Generation Cree XR & XG emitters
Please scroll to the bottom to purchase New Lower Prices too!
TMC (Tropic Marine Center)
AQUA RAY LED LIGHTING;
Features
• Up to 50,000 hour lamp life (equivalent to 6x fluorescent lighting) with no significant deterioration of spectral quality.
• Latest Generation Cree XR-E Power LED emitters; Currently there is not a more powerful emitter, producing more lumens & useful light energy per watt, making these AquaRay LED light systems the BEST aquarium lights at any price!
• The bin specifications of the LED emitters used by TMC are so precise that TMC has exclusive supply of these LED emitters and they are not available on the general market (or other LED aquarium light manufactures) • These bin specifications include very specific 465-485nm, 50,000K actinic for which the highest actinic PAR is found, unlike many lights with broads actinic spikes and/or too low actinic for optimum PAR (such as 420nm). See the PAR section in this article: Aquarium Lighting; Facts & Information
• New Wide Angle Beam, which easily allows for the fixture to be placed over 12 inches above an open aquarium and still not loose much light energy.
• Low voltage and cool running
• Highest useable and visible output of light per energy consumed. Tests have shown that a 12w AquaBeam produces up to 33% more illumination at 20 inches than a 24w compact fluorescent aquarium fitting (PLL compact fluorescent), in part due to focused illumination.
• The AquaBeam 500 provides 500 Focused Lumens (1140 lumens total) & 20,000 LUX along with the Highest PAR output available in LED lights (including the more expensive Solaris) or any other lighting type. Delivers high LUX and PAR values which means it is suitable for all marine set ups including reef tanks incorporating LPS and SPS hard corals.
Studies/Test in plant growth has shown a 12 Watt Full spectrum/daylight LED Surpassing a similar 175 Watt Full spectrum Metal Halide!! (See “Aquarium Lighting Facts & Information”)
• With modern emitter technology, very exacting nanometer spikes can be obtained with the Aqua Ray LEDs; from 405 to 750 NM (depending upon LED purchased). This means no UV-B or lower that most Metal Halides designed for aquariums emit which can burn coral
• Lowest running costs and carbon footprint of any lighting system available.
• Unlike CFL, or Metal Halide, these Aqua Ray LEDs can be plugged into a dimmer or dimmer plus timer combination allows for slow on and off (sunrise/sunset), (not available here, but at home improvement or electronics stores)
• The Aqua Ray lights can be paired with the MH below or for more cost effectiveness (as well as lower heat), I recommend pairing with either T2 Fluorescent lights, T5s or self ballasted 6400 K CFLs for smaller aquariums (under 60 gallons; 225 liters) or with SHO Lights for larger tanks.
The Aqua Ray can be used all by itself, however the above suggestions allow for a less costly application and as well allow for mixing of different lighting types benefits.
These two pictures show Aqua Ray LED simply placed on the aquarium. The preferred method (aesthetically) is mounted into a hood or canopy; however these pictures show this option as well.
*The first picture is the first demo 48 inch long Marine Tank (the lights were placed directly on the top for ease of picture taking, not mounted, so light spread is poor) with the AquaBeam 500 & 1000 Reef White, GroBeam 1000, and 1500 XG 9000K (not yet available)
*The second picture shows a freshwater aquarium with simple LED placement on the top of the Aquarium
Please click on the pictures to enlarge.
The picture to the left (Please click on the picture to enlarge) demonstrates "Useful Light Energy" between a 12 Watt Marine White LED (all white emitters), T8, Metal Halide, & Sun light. When viewed through a spectroscope, most artificial lights are visibly different to sunlight with more spikes in the useless green/yellow spectrums (see Fig. 1, 2 and 3). AquaRay LEDs have a much more even spectrum especially over Metal Halide, with the AquaRay much closer to sunlight (see Fig. 4).
AquaBeam 500 Models
• Unique light-weight, waterproof design, and flexible mounting options including; *Retrofit of standard aquarium hood/canopy,*mounting on rails (DIY wood, plastic, etc) and placed over “rim” of the aquarium, or *even over tank hanging and wall mounting, making them suitable and simple for replacement, retrofit and new install.
Includes mounting brackets for “in hood” or canopy mounting or these AquaRay/AquaBeam LED can suspended or simply placed above an aquarium. (Please click on the picture to the left for a better view of mounting options.)
• Unique LED photo cell technology; each strip consists of 5 LED emitters, with various combinations of varying Kelvin daylight and blue (actinic) emitters.
For the example the Reef Blue consists of all blue while the Marine White is all white. Reef White (the combination I feel is best for most applications) is (3) white and (2) blue.
• Length= 19 inches per strip (49 cm); Width= 2 inches (5.2 cm) with approximately 10 feet of cord from the ballast for ease/safety of connection
*Warranted for 1 year on lamp and 5 years on power supply
Please Scroll 3/4 down this page for the Shopping Cart with Drop Down Menu to Purchase
Currently available:
*AquaBeam 500; 12 watt Marine White (14,000K)- $149.99
(5 Daylight emitters) Despite the name, the Marine White is also a possible choice for planted freshwater aquariums, with much lower wasted light in the yellow spectrum than CFLs)
* AquaBeam 500; 12 watt Reef White- $149.99
(2 blue emitters & 3 14,000K Daylight emitters) The Reef White is the most recommended model with the best marine reef application potential as well as another choice for planted FW (for those desiring more blue as well Cyanobacteria control). Also a good compliment to T2 or T5 Light Systems.
* AquaBeam 500 DUO TWIN; 2 x 12 watt Reef White- $299.99 The same as the above single AquaBeam 500 Reef White, but with two LED light strips/fixtures with a single electrical outlet, and can be placed either in line or parallel for a total of 24 watts.
The DUO Twin has approximately 10 feet of cord from the ballast for each light providing plenty of flexibility Pictured below left
* AquaBeam 500; 12 watt Marine Blue- $149.99
(3 blue emitters & 2 14,000K Daylight emitters) A good choice for high light requiring corals/clams or as a more blue supplement to the Reef White. Also a good compliment to T2 or T5 Daylight systems
* AquaBeam 500; 12 watt Natural Gro-Beam (Natural Daylight)- $145.99
(5- 6500K Daylight emitters) The primary choice for freshwater aquariums that TMC recommends for planted FW aquariums (a good compliment to Marine White for planted FW tanks too and the best choice if the only LED used for a planted FW aquarium)
Although many marine keeper prefer the higher Kelvin 10000K or 14000K daylight lamps/emitters I find this 6500K LED an excellent compliment to Reef White or Marine Blue LEDs
* AquaBeam 500; 12 watt Reef Blue (50,000K)- $149.99
(5 blue emitters) Not generally best used alone, this high Kelvin can compliment other LED lights of 14,000 or less or is a good compliment to daylight T2, T5, CFL, or SHO lights
*30 watt Aqua Beam 1500 9000K Daylight- $339.99 Please Scroll down this page for the Shopping Cart with Drop Down Menu to Purchase
Click on the picture to enlarge for a better view
• XG 1500 has 10 x 9,000K crisp-white LEDS
• 120+ PAR at 12 inches over an area much larger than the fixture footprint
• Uses the newly patented XR-G emitter by Cree
• Not intended for depth penetration (the Reef White or even 50,000K Blue 500 models are better for this), However the wide angle, high PAR output emitters are excellent for 24 inch deep or less tanks requiring high lighting from a small light fixture “footprint”
• Very compact – 8” x 8” (20 x 20cm)
AquaRay Lighting Controller- $149.99
• Two Channel Dimming control
• Simple User Interface
• Easy to create (& vary the time) Sunrise, Sunset, Daylight, & moonlight phases (please note that true moonlight is primarily a full spectrum white light, despite the common belief it is blue, see: Aquarium Lighting Facts & Information)
• Compact Design for easy mounting
• Uses real time clock for accurate timing
• Compatible with all TMC AquaRay/ AquaBeam Products
• All TMC Controllers operate via pulse width modulation (PWM). This is important as PWM is effectively turning the LEDs on and off very quickly (faster than the eye can see) so there is no change to the spectral output as opposed to using current reduction used by many controllers.
• Can control up to1-2 light fixtures per controller (two 500s or one 1000)
• 2 Year Warranty
• Suggested cost saving use for larger aquariums would be to use this versatile controller for 1-2 TMC LED Lights for slow dimming/starting and moonlight while all other LEDs can be plugged into a common timer for instant on/off in between the time envelope of the lights utilizing the TMC advanced electronic controller
• See our “Downloads Page” for a PDF download of instructions for the TMC LED controller for some further information.
AquaRay Lighting Controller with Storm Feature- $179.99
• Same as above except with UPS feature that maintains information when power is lost
New *AquaRay Lighting Multi-Controller with Storm Feature- $299.99
• 8 ports and 2 channels; this controller can run 8 model 500 AquRay LEDs or 4 1000/1500 LEDs!
• Other features are the same as above & includes an UPS feature that maintains information when power is lost
AquaRay Power Supply; Single- $19.99
AquaRay Power Supply; Double- $39.99 (the power supply is included with all TMC LEDs & is only sold here for persons desiring back up, DIY, or for warranty)
*AquaRay Solid State LED Lighting Strips have so many advantages over traditional Marine Reef & Freshwater lighting systems and can be used on all types of aquarium setups, from tropical to reef tanks. When you first install an Aqua Ray light unit above your tank you will immediately see the main benefit of this new technology. Unlike fluorescent lamps, AquaRay lighting delivers a directed, or "focused" source of light, and the passage of this light through water is comparable with what would be seen in nature under direct sunlight. In other words, visible beams of light will pierce the water and reflect the movement of the water surface, producing a more natural and eye-catching shimmer effect in the aquarium itself. Until now, this effect could only be replicated with very powerful (and expensive) light sources such as metal halides. Superior to the Current USA Power Brite LED, with almost THREE times the output (5 x 2.4 watt emitters as compared to 4 x 1 watt emitters for the Power Brite plus more output per watt with the New Generation Cree XRE emitters). As well the AquaRay (as well as the Current) is vastly superior to the Ecoxotic Stunner LED (which are only capable for adding lighting accents to existing lighting systems, not a stand alone Reef or Planted Aquarium LED Light)
For some LED Lighting Suggestions, Please scroll below the checkout carts
PAR 38 LED For Screw in Standard Incandescent Sockets- $79.99
These new and unique LED Lights provide direct 6500 K Daylight that fits into a standard incandescent light socket.
Although not as powerful as the TMC AquaRay LED lights, these are also have a more affordable price and fit many applications (including non–aquarium hydroponics plant/ green house applications)
• Includes twelve 1 watt Cree LED emitters
• Optimum PAR 65K Daylight emitters
• 95 lumens per watt
• Simple operations as it fits into a standard household E26/E27 incandescent socket
• 5 inches wide by 4 inches at the socket
• Focused Lumen Output
The Rio Mini Sun Fixtures are small versions of these newer high output, low power consumption lights.
This LED light fixture comes with 10 LEDs with flexible mounting arm. This LED fixture is moisture resistant and easy to install. It comes complete with a UL listed transformer and moonlight mounting bracket.
The Rio Mini Sun LED light fixture is safe for marine or freshwater tanks, generally up to 10 gallons (although these lights are not Reef or planted aquarium capable alone, only as complimentary lighting)
(click on picture above to enlarge)
*Rio Mini Sun Daylight and Deep Sea Blue Lighting Fixture- $25.99
LED Lights/Fixtures
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A Few Lighting Suggestions:
• First let me note, that these lights (along with T2s) are so compact, that it is easy to add more light strips at a later time into your hood/canopy; so even if you are unsure of the number of strips you will need or your budget is “tight”, you can always add more later if your lighting requirements are not met.
• For Small Aquariums (under 20 gal.), often one AquaBeam 500 LED will work. For higher light need planted FW or Reef consider two or complimenting an LED with a New Generation T2 Light Fixture for more economy and different lighting variation or adding a second AquaBeam 500. Consider an AquaBeam Ultra 1000 or GroBeam Ultra 1000 for a Hex tanks such as a 20 gallon hex for more light in a smaller tank “foot print”.
• For medium Aquariums (such as a 60 gallon), generally two AquaBeam 500 LEDs will work well, however with higher light needs (sps corals, high light FW plants, etc.) consider either 3-4 (mixing LED types would be advisable too) or adding two T2 lights as noted for the smaller aquariums for excellent output with more economy. Two AquaBeam 1000 would provide very strong lighting for a 60 reef (albeit more focused light than the model 500s which have more spread) & compliment 2-4 AquaBeam 500s for more even more light output. Similar to the AquaBeam 1000, the GroBeam 1000 can also be employed in planted tanks as a compliment to the GroBeam 500s for very intense lighting in a freshwater planted aquarium.
• For larger aquariums, consider combinations of different Aqua Ray LED Lights, such as (2-4) Natural Daylight (GroBeam) and (2) Marine White for a 125 gallon planted freshwater tank. Consider adding T2s, T5s or even SHO bulbs to increase lighting more & compliment the LED for high light need aquariums. Please note that the SHO Lights require more space and ventilation than most LEDs, T2s or T5s, as the SHO lights utilize more vertical space (they are still compact, but not so much as the LED or T2), as well they produce more heat (which is easily vented in a properly constructed hood) which makes it necessary to be spaced away form your LED lights. For these reasons, generally T2s or T5 are the better choice to mix with an LED light system.
*(Advanced Reef) For this same 125 gallon set up as a advanced Reef tank, you may want to consider a combination of (6) #500 Lights strips (such as Marine Blue and Reef White) with even two more AquaBeam Ultra 1000 for light “hot spots” (especially for aquariums over 24 inches deep).
*(Amazon Basin or similar Freshwater) Ditto would go for an intense light 125 gallon freshwater planted aquarium, except I would consider 2-3 Marine White (tanks under 24-30 inches) or Reef White (tanks over 24-30 inches) AquaBeam 500s as a compliment to the 3-4 GroBeam 500s for more depth penetration. Two or more of the GroBeam 1000s would be employed for light “hot spots” similar to the reef application.
The one difference I would note between the Reef and high light planted aquarium is if you are duplicating am Amazon River environment (with Angels, Discus, Tetras, etc.) to consider that this habitat has many shaded areas and many fish such as Discus prefer tanks that duplicate this, so an evenly lit tank is not what I would suggest, rather both bright and darker areas in the same tank.
• Supplemental Lighting; Also consider that you can add these LED Lights to existing lighting systems, as they can compliment T2s T5s and CFLs such as Helios or Coralife systems, as well as Metal Halide for deeper aquariums (over 30 inch deep reef tanks). The picture to the left shows a planted freshwater aquarium with four T2 6400K and foru TMC GroBeam 500 LEDs (click to enlarge)
• For controller use to dim to off/on or use as a moon light, especially in larger aquariums where multiple TMC LED lights are utilized, consider running 1-2 of the lights off of this electronic/programmable controller and placing the rest on separate basic controllers that can be purchased anywhere to turn on/off the remainder of the LED lights (such as ½ to one hour after dimming on or ½ to one hour prior to dimming off)
• Finally, as good as these AquaRay LED light systems are (often exceeding even Metal Halides), AquaBeam 500s and other LED lights are at their limits for reef tanks of 24 inches in depth & the Ultra 1000s at 30 inches for optimum effectiveness (these LEDs will still penetrate further, however not at optimum effectiveness)
*Although the Reef Blue #500s can penetrate well to 24 inches and the #1000 Reef White tiles can penetrate well to 30 inches, a 400 watt actinic MH (as an example) is still going to beat any current technology LED in deep tanks and should be considered as a supplement for reef tanks over 30 inches (delicate specimen placement high on your “reef” can help too)
*Depth penetration is not quite as much an issue with freshwater aquariums, especially for freshwater tanks containing fish and plants from normally turbid or high tannin water such as the Amazon
PAR 38 LED For Screw in Standard Incandescent Sockets- $79.99 
