LED choice depends on tank type + plant/coral demands + budget. Fish-only freshwater: any inexpensive 6500K LED with 0.5-1 watt per gallon. NICREW Classic LED Plus, Aqueon LED, Finnex StingRay (mid). $30-80. Low-tech planted (anubias, java fern, crypts): 30-40 PAR at substrate. Finnex Stingray, NICREW SkyLED Plus, Hygger 24/7 Plant. 6-8h photoperiod. $40-100. Medium-tech planted (rotala, ludwigia, alternanthera, bacopa): 50-80 PAR. Fluval Plant 3.0, NICREW HyperReef, Twinstar 600S/900S. CO2 + Excel optional. $100-250. High-tech planted (carpets, reds, demanding stems): 80-120+ PAR. Twinstar 600E/900E, Chihiros WRGB II + WRGB II Pro, ONF Flat One+, Aquasky 2.0 G7, Aquatic Life Hybrid T5+LED. Pressurized CO2 mandatory. $250-500. Softie + LPS reef: 100-200 PAR. Reefbreeders Photon V2, ABI Tuna Blue/Sun (DIY), AI Prime 16HD, Kessil A360X. $200-450 per fixture. SPS reef: 250-450 PAR. AI Hydra 32HD/64HD, EcoTech Radion XR15/XR30 G6, Reefi Uno, Maxspect Razor R420. $400-1,200 per fixture. Buying checklist: programmable timer + sunrise/sunset ramp, IP65 waterproof rating, dimmable, 5+ year warranty.
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