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Lighting is one of the most important pieces of equipment in a reef aquarium. The proper lighting intensity is required for your corals or invertebrates to survive. Similar to plants, corals and many invertebrates require light for photosynthesis to generate energy. If your corals and invertebrates do not received enough light for photosynthesis, they will not survive.

Generally, the VHO (very high output) flourescent and PC (power compact) are great for corals that require low to moderate lighting, such as leather corals, mushrooms, polyps, and LPS corals. The Metal Halide systems are great for corals that require intense lighting. SPS corals, clams, and anemones would best survive in a system with metal bulbs. Many hobbyists will supplement metal halide lights with VHO (or PC) lights to simulate a dusk/dawn effect and to add more blue coloration to the tank.