Lighting

Innovative Aquarium Lighting from TMC

Discover Tropical Marine Centre’s complete range of cutting‑edge lighting solutions, including modular LED bars, smart spotlights, and high‑performance reef fixtures. Designed for marine and freshwater setups, our products deliver energy-efficient illumination, precise spectrum control, and seamless integration via app-enabled programming. Whether you're after a simple lighting set up, or building a fully automated system, TMC lighting makes it simple, sustainable, and spectacular.

AquaRay

AquaBar

iLumenAir

Reef Pulsar

Brand Highlights

Explore our trusted lighting brands—each designed to meet specific needs for your aquarium.

AquaBar
Slimline LED bars ideal for enhancing general illumination in freshwater or marine aquariums. A cost-effective choice for hobbyists seeking clean, even light distribution.
AquaRay
Slimline LED bars delivering high PAR output, ideal for promoting healthy plant growth in freshwater or coral development in marine aquariums. A cost-effective choice for hobbyists seeking powerful, clean, and even light distribution.
iLumenAir
Compact and energy-efficient LED light provides a full spectrum of illumination.
Reef Pulsar
Premium reef lighting engineered for coral growth and vibrancy. Full-spectrum output with ultra-crisp whites and deep actinic blues, plus mounting kit included. Ideal for SPS/LPS tanks.

How to Choose the Right Aquarium Lighting

Not sure which lighting system suits your tank? Here are a few tips to guide you:

Tank Type Matters
- Reef tanks need strong PAR levels and full-spectrum light -go for AquaRay or Reef Pulsar.
- Planted freshwater tanks do well with AquaRay P6 or Aquabar for its even coverage.
- Fish-only tanks are best paired with AquaRay or AquaBar for general visibility.
Tank Size & Depth
AquaRay lets you scale as needed, with a range of light unit power.
Control & Features
Want remote access or lighting presets? AquaRay offers app control and programmable features through the FAViA app.
Budget & Flexibility
On a budget? AquaRay and Aquabar offer simple, reliable performance. Need flexibility and upgrades? AquaRay is your go-to lighting solution.

AquaRay – Smart LED Lighting for Aquariums

AquaRay offers advanced, energy-efficient LED lighting designed for both marine and freshwater aquariums, with full programmability and Wi‑Fi control via the FAViA app.

Featuring modular low-voltage design, the AquaRay P series delivers customizable light spectrums, scheduling options, and dynamic effects like dawn/dusk and storms.
Available in sleek fixture sizes with optional accessories, cable management systems, and suspension kits - it’s the perfect choice for hobbyists and retailers seeking high‑performance lighting backed by TMC’s expert support.

AquaRay

AquaRay P9 Connect

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£286.86
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AquaRay P5 Connect

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£207.77
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AquaRay P2 Connect

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£151.93
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AquaRay Hanging Kit for P2/P5/P9

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£29.99
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AquaBar – Effortless LED Lighting for Aquariums

AquaBar is a sleek, energy-efficient LED lighting solution designed to replace traditional T5/T8 fluorescent lights in both marine and freshwater aquariums.

Available in multiple lengths and light spectrums- including Reef White, Fiji Purple, and ColourPlus™ -AquaBar delivers vibrant illumination with low power consumption and easy installation.
Choose from single bars or twin kits with included power supplies, and pair with optional controllers for enhanced lighting control. Ideal for hobbyists and retailers looking for a reliable, low-maintenance upgrade.

AquaBar

AquaBar T-Series Kit 835mm FRESHWATER (TWIN INC PSU)

Available

£162.76
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AquaBar T-Series Kit 742mm MARINE+FIJI (TWIN INC PSU)

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£146.99
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AquaBar T-Series Kit 530mm MARINE+FIJI (TWIN INC PSU)

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£120.73
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AquaBar T-Series Kit 530mm FRESHWATER (TWIN INC PSU)

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£120.73
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AquaBar T-Series Kit 438mm MARINE+FIJI (TWIN INC PSU)

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£104.99
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AquaBar 500 Marine

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£49.99
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AquaBar T-Series Single COLOURPLUS (NO PSU)

From £47.58
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AquaBar T-Series Single FIJI PURPLE (NO PSU)

From £47.58
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AquaBar T-Series Single MARINE (NO PSU)

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AquaBar T-Series Single ULTRA DAYLIGHT (NO PSU)

From £47.58
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AquaBar T-Series Single 530mm Reef BLUE (SINGLE NO PSU)

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£47.23
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iLumenAir – Compact, Colourful LED Spotlights

The iLumenAir Nano+ and Micro+ Multi Spectrum LED’s deliver powerful, energy-efficient lighting for nano and smaller aquariums, offering vibrant light in a compact, adjustable form.

They boost plant growth, highlight corals, and enhances tank aesthetics thanks to their flexible mounting arm. One Light. Three Spectrums. Endless Possibilities. - Switch between Natural Daylight, Marine White, and Reef Blue to suit your tank’s unique needs. Easy to install and low maintenance, they are a smart, space-saving option for hobbyists.

iLumenair

iLumenAir 1200+ Connect

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£650.00
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iLumenAir micro+ LED

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£94.44
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iLumenAir Nano+ Multi Spectrum LED 3w

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£33.46
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Reef Pulsar – Precision LED Lighting for LPS & SPS Corals

Reef Pulsar (available in the LPS‑6 and SPS‑8 models) delivers high-performance LED lighting specifically engineered for both large-polyp (LPS) and small-polyp (SPS) corals.

Featuring the latest Osram LEDs, individually adjustable channels, and unique aspherical optics for smooth colour blending. Quiet, thermally regulated fans with IP55 splash-proof protection ensure durability in marine environments. With Bluetooth-enabled programming via the TMC Link app, optional sync across multiple units, and flexible mounting via the suspension kit, Reef Pulsar offers coral hobbyists a customizable, energy-efficient lighting solution that enhances both coral health and aquarium aesthetics.

Reef Pulsar

Reef Pulsar SPS-8

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£594.98
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Reef Pulsar LPS-6

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£377.77
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Reef Pulsar Suspension Kit

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£24.98
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Why is lighting important?

Lighting is a crucial component of any life support system, significantly impacting the biology and welfare of most animals and plants. For plants, the need for light is well understood, and LED technology enables us to optimize light efficiency. In animals, the type of light used can greatly enhance visual acuity, leading to better feeding responses and reduced stress levels. Additionally, precise control of light can have profound biological effects, further promoting animal health and welfare.

Since 2007, Tropical Marine Centre has been a leader in LED lighting. Our expertise in lighting for harsh environments, combined with our extensive background in animal husbandry and biology, makes us uniquely qualified in this field. We are active in various sectors involving plants and animals, including aquaculture, agriculture (pigs, poultry, cattle, and insect breeding), racehorses, and horticulture. We have equipped numerous facilities, such as research institutes and public aquaria, with spectrally tuned lighting that offers an unparalleled level of control. Our equipment is crafted from robust, high-quality components to endure harsh conditions and provide users with the best possible results. These benefits include improved welfare, enhanced production outcomes, and reduced costs.

We are not just providers of lighting and control units, but also have a robust knowledge of the interaction of different sources of light within a defined space. The layout and design of where lighting units are placed and where lighting beams are angled is incredibly important for the welfare of the animal and also the aesthetic of the display (critically important for public aquaria).

To discuss your specific needs in more detail, please contact us.

Lighting terminology – what is and isn’t relevant?

Lighting terminology – what is and isn’t relevant?

The wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm), of a particular light defines how it interacts with the surfaces it hits. For example light of 660nm is perceived as red when it hits a human eye, and is absorbed when it hits a blue coloured surface. Some light (including white) is made up of a number of different wavelengths mixed together. The visible spectrum for humans is roughly 400-700nm, but there is varying sensitivity within that range. For example a green light will look brighter than a blue light even if they are of the same radiant flux (W). It is important to note that other species will have different visible spectra and sensitivities.

A spectrum graph is a visual representation of the mix of wavelengths in a light source (both in the visible spectrum and beyond). This is very important to consider because of the variation between the way human's experience light when compared to other animals. We might be able to see well under a light that is very dim to a particular animal species, or vice versa. For example pigs can’t see red light at all, so a white light that emits a large amount of red (e.g. an incandescent bulb) will seem dim to a pig, but bright to a human. Furthermore certain wavelengths may be important due to their biological effects on structures such as the pineal gland (affecting circadian rhythm), so this should be considered when specifying. Spectrum is also important when dealing with plants because although plants do not experience attenuated light to the same extent as fish, different plant species have different spectral requirements and some wavelengths will be more important than others at different stages of development.

The lumen (lm) is a unit of luminous flux, which is a measure of the power of light perceived by the human eye. It should be noted that luminous flux is different to radiant flux (measured in Watts) as it is adjusted to reflect the varying sensitivity of the human eye to different wavelengths of light.

The lux (lx) is derived from the lumen and is a measure of illuminance. This is the luminous flux hitting a surface. It is important because it is effectively the amount of usable light. For example 1000 lumens spread over an area 1m2 gives you a figure of 1000 lux; however the same amount of light spread over a 10m2 area gives an illuminance of only 100 lux.

IMPORTANT NOTE: As mentioned, animals experience light differently to humans and so the lumen and lux provide more of a guide than a true view on how much light will be available to the animal. The need to take into account both lux and spectrum provided is what gave rise to the name for our lighting system: The ‘Biolumen’ is a theoretical unit like the lumen, but tuned to the needs of the plant/animal.

Photosynthetically Active Radiation (or PAR) is the measure light within the range of 400-700nm. It is measured in µmol/m2/second. In physics, light is thought of in particles of energy, or ‘photons’. One mole (mol) is the number of carbon atoms in 12 grams of carbon (6.0221415×1023). So 1 µmol/m2/second is 602,214,150,000,000,000 photons of light hitting a m2 surface each second. Like the lux, this number will decrease as the distance from the light source increases.

Photoperiod is the way we define light and dark cycles (i.e. day and night). This is important when looking at animals because a clearly defined pattern of light and dark has massive biological impact. It stimulates and represses melatonin production via the pineal gland in nearly every animal and this is what entrains circadian rhythms (the body clock), which in turn entrains the healthy production of hormones which effect areas such as stress levels, growth, reproduction and the immune system.

The above explanations are the key elements and terminology that we use when looking at a lighting project. By applying both technology and the science of light we can achieve a lot.