Best 72-Inch LED Lights for Large Aquariums (100–210 Gallons)

When it comes to lighting a large aquarium—whether it’s a lush planted freshwater tank or a vibrant saltwater reef—size, power, and precision matter. A 72-inch tank isn’t just a display; it’s a living ecosystem that demands consistent light coverage, tailored spectrums, and enough intensity to reach the depths. The right LED light doesn’t just illuminate your aquarium—it brings it to life, showcasing every coral shimmer and plant sway in breathtaking detail. In this guide, we dive into the top 72-inch LED lights designed for tanks between 100 to 210 gallons, helping you find the perfect match for your aquatic world, whether you’re growing delicate carpeting plants or maintaining a thriving FOWLR or reef setup.

• Best 72 inch LED aquarium lights
• 72-inch aquarium light reviews
  • KZKR Upgraded Light LED Full Spectrum 72-84 inch Foldable
  • AQQA 24/7 Clip-On Fish Tank Light (x2 units for 72-inch tank)
  • BeamsWork DA FSPEC Gen2 LED Aquarium Light 72 in
  • Current Orbit Marine IC, 72-inch for saltwater tanks
  • Nicrew HyperReef 150 Gen 2
• Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Light

Best 72 inch LED aquarium lights

Model	Our rating	Ideal for	Fixture size	For tanks	LEDs	Modes	Wattage
	KZKR Aquarium LED Fish Tank Light #ad	fish, medium-light plants	72-84 inches (24–84″ available)	72-84 inches	121 White + 62 Blue + 16 Red + 8 Green	Day/Night/Off	43 watts
	AQQA 24/7 Clip-On Fish Tank Light #ad	fish, medium-light plants	32-40 inches	2 units for a 72-inch tank	96 pcs	6H/10H/12H timer, 24/7 automatic cycle	30 watts
	BeamsWork DA FSPEC Gen2 #ad	fish, medium-light plants	72 inches	up to 210 gallons	132x 10000K, 32x Actinic 460nm, 18x Red 660nm, 18x Green	Full power, White+Red+Green, Blue only, 4H/8H/12H timer	66 watts total
	Current Orbit Marine IC #ad	fish, live rock, inverts, FOWLR setups, low-light corals & marine plants	72 in	72 in	144 pcs	app control	72W
	Nicrew HyperReef 150 Gen 2 #ad	Most types of corals	36 x 36″ (max)	2 units for 72-inch tanks	72 LEDs, 2 channels	7 preset spectrums, controller ready (sold separately)	150 watts (100-200W available)

72-inch aquarium light reviews

KZKR Upgraded Light LED Full Spectrum 72-84 inch Foldable

Check on Amazon #ad

• Ideal for: fish, medium-light plants
• Fixture sizes: 72-84 inches (24–84″ available)
• For tanks: 72-84 inches
• LEDs: 121 White + 62 Blue + 16 Red + 8 Green
• Modes: Day/Night/Off
• Wattage: 43 watts

The KZKR Aquarium LED Light is specially designed for large freshwater tanks ranging from 72 to 84 inches in length. With its extended size options and adjustable brackets, it provides excellent coverage for long aquariums, making it ideal for fish-only setups or tanks with low to medium light plants. Its aluminum body ensures efficient heat dissipation, contributing to a longer lifespan for the lighting unit.

Extendable brackets #ad

Equipped with a full spectrum of LEDs—121 White + 62 Blue + 16 Red + 8 Green—this fixture delivers a vibrant, balanced light output that brings out the natural colors of your aquatic life. The 8000K color temperature mimics daylight, enhancing visibility and creating a stunning visual experience. Though not built for high-PAR-demanding plants, it effectively supports basic plant growth while prioritizing aesthetics and energy efficiency.

For hobbyists aiming to grow medium- to high-light aquatic plants, using two KZKR LED fixtures side by side can significantly boost overall PAR output. This dual-light setup enhances intensity and provides better coverage across the entire tank length, especially in deep or densely planted aquariums. While a single unit supports low-light species well, doubling the fixture not only increases brightness but also balances spectral distribution, helping promote healthier, more vigorous plant growth. Pairing both fixtures with a programmable timer can further optimize photosynthesis cycles and long-term plant health.

Users can toggle between three lighting modes: full spectrum (daylight), blue-only (night), and off. The controls are intuitive, allowing for simple customization without complicated programming. While the fixture does not come with a built-in timer, it’s fully compatible with external programmable timers that offer sunrise simulation, dimming, and memory backup in case of power loss—an excellent upgrade for those seeking greater automation.

Durable, stylish, and easy to install, the KZKR LED light suits hobbyists looking for reliable illumination over large tanks. Just ensure it’s protected from water splashes, as the unit is not waterproof. With proper care and an optional timer add-on, this light can significantly improve the aesthetic and functional quality of your aquarium.

AQQA 24/7 Clip-On Fish Tank Light (x2 units for 72-inch tank)

Check on Amazon #ad

• Ideal for: fish, medium-light plants
• Fixture sizes: 32-40 inches
• For tanks: 32-40 inches, 2 units for a 72-inch tank
• LEDs: 96 pcs
• Modes: 6H/10H/12H timer, 24/7 automatic cycle
• Wattage: 30 watts

The AQQA 24/7 Clip-On LED is a compact yet powerful aquarium light, ideal for aquarists looking to simulate a natural day-night rhythm. When used in pairs, it can effectively illuminate a 72-inch tank, providing sufficient brightness and coverage for freshwater fish and low-to-medium light plants.

DIY mode #ad

24/7 Default mode #ad

Its 24/7 mode automatically simulates sunrise, full daylight, and moonlight, turning on at 6:00 a.m. and off at 10:58 p.m., offering a full circadian rhythm experience without daily intervention. Users can also enter DIY mode, where brightness, color, and timer duration (6/10/12 hours) are manually adjustable for custom light environments.

The fixture includes a 360° flexible gooseneck and sturdy clip mount, suitable for tanks with or without frames (up to 0.9″ thick). Its memory function ensures all settings are preserved even after a power outage, offering both reliability and convenience.

Compact, stylish, and affordable, the AQQA light is a smart option for aquarists seeking automatic lighting cycles in medium to large aquariums—especially when used in multiple units for full coverage.

BeamsWork DA FSPEC Gen2 LED Aquarium Light 72 in

Check on Amazon #ad

• Ideal for: fish, medium-light plants
• Fixture sizes: 72 inches
• For tanks: up to 210 gallons
• LEDs: 132x 10000K, 32x Actinic 460nm, 18x Red 660nm, 18x Green
• Modes: Full power, White+Red+Green, Blue only, 4H/8H/12H timer
• Wattage: 66 watts total

The DA FSPEC Gen2 72″ LED Aquarium Light is a powerful lighting fixture designed for large freshwater or planted tanks. Featuring an upgraded 5730 LED chip set, it delivers 66 watts of energy-efficient illumination with up to 8000 lumens of brightness. Its balanced spectrum includes 10000K white, 460nm blue, 660nm red, and green LEDs—creating a brilliant shimmer effect and enhancing plant growth and fish coloration.

Timer dimmer #ad

This light offers simple control with three timer modes: 4, 8, or 12 hours of automatic shutoff, easily selected via a single button press—no complex programming required. Users can also choose from three lighting modes to suit different viewing needs: full spectrum, daytime spectrum (white, red, green), or nighttime blue-only mode. For further customization, five levels of dimming allow fine-tuning of brightness to match your aquarium’s environment.

Built for durability and future upgrades, the fixture uses an aluminum body for effective heat dissipation and comes pre-wired for add-on controller modules. The included clear plastic mounting brackets resist rust and calcium buildup over time. For tanks requiring extended coverage, the 72″ model combines two 36″ fixtures, seamlessly integrated into a single unit for powerful, even lighting across long aquariums.

Current Orbit Marine IC, 72-inch for saltwater tanks

Check on Amazon #ad

• Ideal for: fish, live rock, inverts, FOWLR setups, low-light corals & marine plants
• Fixture size: 72 in
• For tanks: 72 in
• LEDs: 144 pcs
• Modes: app control
• Wattage: 72W

The Current Orbit Marine IC 72″ is a complete lighting and pump control system, ideal for saltwater setups with fish, live rock, FOWLR, marine plants, or low-light corals. It features a premium full-spectrum mix—dual 445nm/460nm actinic blue, dual 6,700K/10,000K white, and RGB LEDs through 90° spherical optics—delivering exceptional shimmer and stunning visual clarity.

Control is made effortless via the built-in LOOP controller with Bluetooth, compatible with the iOS/Android LOOP app—no Wi-Fi required. The app enables programming of natural lighting cycles (sunrise, daylight, sunset, moonlight), dynamic weather events like rolling clouds or lightning, and even audio/mode pairing with pumps and accessories.

Lighting modes are versatile, offering programmed sunrise-to-sundown transitions, cloud cover effects, storm simulations, and lunar dusk/night modes. Default weather and day‑night programs run automatically, but you can also enter manual mode to create custom schedules and color profiles on demand.

Setup and installation are simple with its ultra‑slim aluminum housing and adjustable docking brackets for aquariums 72 in wide. The Orbit Marine IC delivers a silent, low‑profile design with comprehensive ecosystem control—all accessible via the LOOP app for a truly immersive reef experience.

Nicrew HyperReef 150 Gen 2

Check on Amazon #ad

• Ideal for: Most types of corals
• Coverage: 36 x 36″ (max)
• LEDs: 72 LEDs, 2 channels
• Controller: 7 preset spectrums, controller ready (sold separately)
• Wattage: 150 watts (100-200W available)

The NICREW HyperReef 150 Gen 2 is an excellent choice for reef aquariums, especially those focused on coral health and coloration. Its full-spectrum output supports robust coral growth, while the balanced light blend enhances vibrant colors and produces a soft, natural shimmer across the tank. Unlike general-purpose LEDs, this model is specifically engineered for reef environments, giving it an edge for both beginners and seasoned reefers alike.

Nicrew HyperReef 150 Gen 2 PAR measurements #ad

With a powerful PAR rating of 165 at 24 inches, the 150W unit provides enough intensity for most coral species, including high-demand SPS, when placed in the upper regions of the tank. It’s a reliable solution for deep tanks and is available in multiple wattage options (65W to 200W) depending on your layout. However, for large reef tanks around 72 inches, using two HyperReef 150 fixtures is strongly recommended. This ensures uniform light spread, deeper penetration, and consistent PAR across the entire length of the tank, avoiding shaded zones that can stunt coral growth.

Control buttons #ad

The integrated control panel offers 7 preset spectrum modes, giving users convenient access to popular lighting profiles without requiring additional programming. For more advanced control, the unit supports the HyperReef Gen 2 controller (sold separately), unlocking 5-channel customization with smooth dimming and programmable lighting schedules across 8 time points. Multiple units can be daisy-chained to synchronize settings between lights, a perfect solution when running dual setups on larger tanks.

Extensive mounting options #ad

Equipped with smart cooling fans, the light maintains a stable operating temperature even under high output. Installation is simple thanks to the included tank mount and hanging kit, both compatible with rimmed and rimless tanks. Whether you’re starting a new reef or upgrading an existing one, this light combines power, flexibility, and coral-centric design—especially when paired in twos for full 6-foot coverage.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Light

When selecting LED lighting for a large 72-inch tank, whether it’s a lush planted setup or a thriving reef, it’s crucial to look beyond just wattage and price. Focus on PAR output, coverage area, and spectral control. Reef tanks with demanding corals like SPS will require high-PAR fixtures (150+ at 24″), ideally using two evenly spaced units for full front-to-back and end-to-end illumination. For planted tanks, look for lights with customizable spectrums, smooth dimming, and sunrise/sunset cycles to mimic natural conditions and reduce stress on plants and fish.

Also consider how the light mounts, whether it supports Bluetooth or controller-based automation, and if it can be daisy-chained for future upgrades. In a tank this size, light uniformity is everything—uneven brightness can lead to dead spots or algae problems. Investing in the right lighting setup not only boosts the health and coloration of your aquatic life but also transforms your aquarium into a stunning visual centerpiece.