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Top 5 Open Frame Power Supplies for Aquarium LED Fixtures in Canada — 2025 Practical Buying Guide (Mean Well LRS-350-24, LRS-200-12, LRS-150-24, TDK-Lambda LS200-24, CUI Inc VOF-225-24)

Published on Thursday, August 21, 2025

Open frame constant-voltage power supplies built for integration inside aquarium hoods and custom LED fixtures are a popular choice among Canadian hobbyists, commercial aquarists, and fixture builders. Designed for installations where airflow and compact mounting are available, these units offer high power density, cost efficiency, and straightforward cooling in controlled, dry cabinet environments. Consumers in Canada favor open frame units because they deliver dependable 12 V and 24 V outputs for LED strips and modules, are easier to mount in tight fixture cavities, and typically cost less per watt than enclosed or fully sealed options. At the same time, buyers prioritize proper placement, ventilation, and adherence to local electrical and safety standards to avoid moisture exposure and ensure long-term reliability.

Quick Menu

1. Best High-Wattage Enclosed Supply

2. Best Compact 12V Enclosed

3. Best Mid-Power 24V Enclosed

4. Best Industrial-Grade Open-Frame

5. Best High-Efficiency Open-Frame Value

1
BEST HIGH-WATTAGE ENCLOSED SUPPLY

Mean Well LRS-350-24

MEAN WELL

The LRS-350-24 earns its place as the best-in-class option for high-power aquarium LED fixtures because it delivers a large 24 V output and ample wattage for multi-hood setups, providing headroom and stable operation under continuous load. Compared with the smaller LRS models and the mid-range CUI VOF-225, it offers the most cost-effective wattage-per-dollar for larger builds, while remaining more affordable than premium offerings from TDK-Lambda for equivalent output.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • 350W compact

  • Fanless cool

  • 350W compact

  • Fanless cool

Review Summary

92%

"Users praise the LRS-350-24 for its solid build, reliable continuous 24V output and good thermal handling under sustained load, though some note the internal fan can be audible at high loads."

  • Tank-power beast

  • 350W 24V single‑output in a compact metal enclosure suitable for high‑power LED fixtures

  • Tank-power beast

  • 350W 24V single‑output in a compact metal enclosure suitable for high‑power LED fixtures

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

The LRS-350-24 earns its place as the best-in-class option for high-power aquarium LED fixtures because it delivers a large 24 V output and ample wattage for multi-hood setups, providing headroom and stable operation under continuous load. Compared with the smaller LRS models and the mid-range CUI VOF-225, it offers the most cost-effective wattage-per-dollar for larger builds, while remaining more affordable than premium offerings from TDK-Lambda for equivalent output.

  • 350W compact

  • Fanless cool

  • Tank-power beast

  • 350W 24V single‑output in a compact metal enclosure suitable for high‑power LED fixtures

  • Built‑in protections including short‑circuit, overload, over‑voltage and over‑temperature

  • 350W compact

  • Fanless cool

  • Tank-power beast

  • 350W 24V single‑output in a compact metal enclosure suitable for high‑power LED fixtures

  • Built‑in protections including short‑circuit, overload, over‑voltage and over‑temperature

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From 41.01$
2
BEST COMPACT 12V ENCLOSED

Mean Well LRS-200-12

Mean Well

The LRS-200-12 is a strong market leader for 12 V LED aquarium systems, striking a balance between compact size, thermal performance, and price for single-fixture or strip-light installations. Against the 24 V alternatives in this list, it provides the practical advantage of native 12 V output where fixture design calls for lower voltage, and it tends to be less costly than the TDK-Lambda option while offering comparable day-to-day reliability.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • 200W 12V

  • Low-profile fit

  • 200W 12V

  • Low-profile fit

Review Summary

90%

"Buyers report the LRS-200-12 as a dependable, compact 12V supply with consistent regulation and long life; a few users mention it runs warm under full load but remains reliable."

  • Coral-friendly hum

  • 200W 12V single‑output ideal for 12V LED strips and smaller fixtures

  • Coral-friendly hum

  • 200W 12V single‑output ideal for 12V LED strips and smaller fixtures

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The LRS-200-12 is a strong market leader for 12 V LED aquarium systems, striking a balance between compact size, thermal performance, and price for single-fixture or strip-light installations. Against the 24 V alternatives in this list, it provides the practical advantage of native 12 V output where fixture design calls for lower voltage, and it tends to be less costly than the TDK-Lambda option while offering comparable day-to-day reliability.

  • 200W 12V

  • Low-profile fit

  • Coral-friendly hum

  • 200W 12V single‑output ideal for 12V LED strips and smaller fixtures

  • Wide 90–264VAC input and integrated protections for stable operation

  • 200W 12V

  • Low-profile fit

  • Coral-friendly hum

  • 200W 12V single‑output ideal for 12V LED strips and smaller fixtures

  • Wide 90–264VAC input and integrated protections for stable operation

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$60-100 CAD

3
BEST MID-POWER 24V ENCLOSED

Mean Well LRS-150-24

Generic

The LRS-150-24 is positioned as the economical, compact choice for smaller tanks or single-fixture LED builds, giving reliable 24 V output with a small footprint and lower upfront cost. While it has less headroom than the LRS-350 and the CUI 225, it is a sensible trade-off when space, heat, or budget are primary constraints and a full 150 W is sufficient for the intended aquarium lighting.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • 150W slim

  • Runs cool

  • 150W slim

  • Runs cool

Review Summary

91%

"The LRS-150-24 is frequently described as a cost-effective, quiet 24V solution with stable performance for LED fixtures; there are rare reports of early failures but overall users find it dependable."

  • Easy-install charm

  • 150W 24V single‑output fits medium‑sized aquarium LED fixtures

  • Easy-install charm

  • 150W 24V single‑output fits medium‑sized aquarium LED fixtures

Time-Saving Convenience

Increased Safety & Security

Recreational Enjoyment

The LRS-150-24 is positioned as the economical, compact choice for smaller tanks or single-fixture LED builds, giving reliable 24 V output with a small footprint and lower upfront cost. While it has less headroom than the LRS-350 and the CUI 225, it is a sensible trade-off when space, heat, or budget are primary constraints and a full 150 W is sufficient for the intended aquarium lighting.

  • 150W slim

  • Runs cool

  • Easy-install charm

  • 150W 24V single‑output fits medium‑sized aquarium LED fixtures

  • Protections against short circuit, overload and over temperature for reliable use

  • 150W slim

  • Runs cool

  • Easy-install charm

  • 150W 24V single‑output fits medium‑sized aquarium LED fixtures

  • Protections against short circuit, overload and over temperature for reliable use

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From 31.08$
4
BEST INDUSTRIAL-GRADE OPEN-FRAME

TDK-Lambda LS200-24

TDK-Lambda

The LS200-24 from TDK-Lambda is the market-leading premium option, prized for tighter regulation, lower ripple and often a wider operating temperature range—attributes that improve long-term LED color stability and longevity in aquarium systems. It typically costs more than the Mean Well and CUI units but can be worth the premium for sensitive reef setups where electrical noise and thermal resilience matter most.

4.8
★★★★☆
  • Precision 200W

  • Industrial-grade calm

  • Precision 200W

  • Industrial-grade calm

Review Summary

96%

"Reviewers praise the TDK-Lambda LS200-24 for industrial-grade reliability, very tight voltage regulation and long service life, and most say the higher price is justified for professional installations."

  • Rail-ready stability

  • 200W 24V open‑frame design built for OEM integration with aquarium fixtures

  • Rail-ready stability

  • 200W 24V open‑frame design built for OEM integration with aquarium fixtures

Increased Safety & Security

Time-Saving Convenience

The LS200-24 from TDK-Lambda is the market-leading premium option, prized for tighter regulation, lower ripple and often a wider operating temperature range—attributes that improve long-term LED color stability and longevity in aquarium systems. It typically costs more than the Mean Well and CUI units but can be worth the premium for sensitive reef setups where electrical noise and thermal resilience matter most.

  • Precision 200W

  • Industrial-grade calm

  • Rail-ready stability

  • 200W 24V open‑frame design built for OEM integration with aquarium fixtures

  • Robust construction and long‑life components designed for continuous operation

  • Precision 200W

  • Industrial-grade calm

  • Rail-ready stability

  • 200W 24V open‑frame design built for OEM integration with aquarium fixtures

  • Robust construction and long‑life components designed for continuous operation

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$220-350 CAD

5
BEST HIGH-EFFICIENCY OPEN-FRAME VALUE

CUI Inc VOF-225-24

CUI Inc.

The VOF-225-24 sits between the Mean Well mid- and high-power models and the TDK-Lambda premium unit, offering a 24 V, 225 W open-frame form factor that is well suited to built-in aquarium LED fixtures where space and integration flexibility are priorities. It commonly delivers a competitive price-to-performance ratio compared with the TDK-Lambda and often provides more usable wattage than the smaller Mean Well LRS-150, making it a solid choice for medium-to-large custom lighting rigs.

4.3
★★★★☆
  • 225W efficient

  • Ultra-compact footprint

  • 225W efficient

  • Ultra-compact footprint

Review Summary

86%

"CUI's VOF-225-24 gets positive marks for good efficiency and compact open-frame design, but a smaller reviewer base reports occasional unit-to-unit variability and less readily available support than larger brands."

  • Green-sipping power

  • 225W 24V open‑frame power supply tailored for LED fixture and chassis mounting

  • Green-sipping power

  • 225W 24V open‑frame power supply tailored for LED fixture and chassis mounting

Time-Saving Convenience

Recreational Enjoyment

Increased Safety & Security

The VOF-225-24 sits between the Mean Well mid- and high-power models and the TDK-Lambda premium unit, offering a 24 V, 225 W open-frame form factor that is well suited to built-in aquarium LED fixtures where space and integration flexibility are priorities. It commonly delivers a competitive price-to-performance ratio compared with the TDK-Lambda and often provides more usable wattage than the smaller Mean Well LRS-150, making it a solid choice for medium-to-large custom lighting rigs.

  • 225W efficient

  • Ultra-compact footprint

  • Green-sipping power

  • 225W 24V open‑frame power supply tailored for LED fixture and chassis mounting

  • Wide input range with active PFC and protective features for stable output

  • 225W efficient

  • Ultra-compact footprint

  • Green-sipping power

  • 225W 24V open‑frame power supply tailored for LED fixture and chassis mounting

  • Wide input range with active PFC and protective features for stable output

Order Now

$150-260 CAD

Why efficiency, thermal management, and certified design matter

Industry testing, manufacturer technical notes, and lighting research consistently show that power supply efficiency and thermal control directly affect LED performance, operating cost, and system longevity. Higher-efficiency supplies produce less waste heat, easing cooling demands inside enclosed hoods. Good thermal management lowers component stress and can reduce lumen depreciation in LEDs over time. In addition, products that include protections such as overcurrent, overvoltage, and short-circuit features help maintain stable, flicker-free output for constant-voltage LED installations.

Efficiency reduces heat and electrical waste: modern quality open-frame supplies commonly operate in the high 80s to low 90s percent efficiency range, lowering cabinet temperatures and energy use.

Thermal stress shortens component life: keeping the supply and LEDs cool through ventilation and sensible placement improves MTBF and maintains light output.

Proper electrical protections preserve LED modules: regulated constant-voltage outputs plus overcurrent and short-circuit protection reduce the risk of damage to strips and fixtures.

Installation environment matters: open-frame units must be mounted in dry, ventilated spaces and comply with local electrical codes to ensure safety and warranty validity.

Derating and load management: sizing a power supply with modest headroom (for example 20 to 30 percent) reduces stress and improves longevity under continuous aquarium lighting schedules.

In the Canadian context, open frame power supplies such as the Mean Well LRS-350-24, Mean Well LRS-200-12, Mean Well LRS-150-24, TDK-Lambda LS200-24, and CUI Inc VOF-225-24 offer a range of power, footprint, and price points suitable for hobby hoods and commercial fixtures. For most custom aquarium LED builds that need higher capacity and proven reliability, the Mean Well LRS-350-24 stands out as the most versatile option on this list because of its balance of power, efficiency, and industry reputation. We hope you found what you were looking for — if you want to narrow results by output, size, or certification, please refine or expand your search using the site search or filters.

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