Best Aquarium Lights in 2022

Last update: December 13, 2022

Are LED lights better for fish tanks?

LED lights are slowly becoming more popular in the fish keeping hobby. Many aquarium hobbyists are making the switch to LED lighting because of the many benefits that they offer. LED lights are more energy efficient, they produce less heat, and they last much longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. One of the biggest benefits of LED lights is that they are much more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. This is important because it can help to lower your electric bill. LED lights also produce less heat, which is beneficial for both the fish and the plants in your aquarium.

Can I leave my aquarium light on 24 7?

If you are asking if you can leave your aquarium light on 24/7 the answer is yes, but it is not recommended. Aquarium lights should be turned off for a period of time each day to give the fish a chance to rest.

Can you have too much light in aquarium?

Too much light in an aquarium can cause algae to grow excessively. This can be unsightly and may require more frequent cleaning. In addition, too much light can cause fish to become stressed, which can lead to health problems.

Do fish get bored in tanks?

Yes, fish get bored in tanks. They are not stimulated by their environment and have nothing to do. This can lead to them becoming lethargic and not eating as well.


NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light with Extendable Brackets, White and Blue LEDs Review:


This article examines the 20–27 "model (so I guess the medium sized one). Be aware that this is only a review of first impressions. I haven't used this item for an extended period of time because I only installed it on my tank after receiving it. Additionally, I use timers to control my tank lighting, so I don't use the "blue LEDs exclusively" option. Instead, I have the light set to fully on and let the timer turn it on and off during the day. But a regular light timer does function with this light just fine (one of those mechanically operated ones with the round face the slowly rotates and you put the little plastic pieces in at the times you want on or off)Blue and White LED Aquarium Hood Lighting Fish Tank Light for Freshwater and SaltwaterThe hood on my normal 10-gallon tank ultimately failed me. It was the typical 15W, 18 "I used a T-8 fluorescent light hood for nearly 20 years with no problems. But this was a good time to improve. I wanted to switch to LEDs because I do cultivate easy low light plants in my tanks, but I also needed to make sure the light was at least as bright as a regular 15W T-8, which is about 800 lumens. This light is noticeably brighter and has a very natural sunshine appearance (it isn't as blue-looking as I had feared). I often choose 5000K bulbs because I find those that are over 6500L to be far too blue for my tastes. This neighborhood appears to be primarily in the 5000–6000K range, which is where I love to live.The length of a typical 10 gallon is approximately 20 inches, thus one may believe the 11-19 "The model is accurate. And that concept will probably be ideal for the majority of folks if you don't group any real plants. But if you're considering growing any kind of live plants, I would highly recommend the 20-27 "The best option is a model. It stretches across the entire length of a typical 10-gallon tank while still leaving space on each side for the legs to rest on the tank sides.Since I maintain common guppies in it, which thrive in cool tanks, neither this particular tank is heated nor does it contain any fish known to be jumpers. I decided to take off the complete hood and use the new light over open water, thus (I have a 30 gallon I have run this way for years without issue). You can use this light with the hood, though, if it has a full hood and a removable light strip attached to it (this is very common). Simply place it over the glass strip where the previous strip light was located. However, if you need to retain heat or jumpers in the tank, it will function just fine even though it does sit a few inches above the glass and I believe too much light is lost to the room rather than directed down.the light looks great in my planted tank (yes, the java moss needs to be thinned out a LOT), how the feet of this light sit on the plastic trim piece of a standard glass aquarium, and 4) how high above the water/hood/glass the light will sit. The photos that are attached show how well the light fits over a standard 10-gallon (using no glass or hood).Keep in mind that if you use this over a glass top, a lot of light will likely be reflected up into the room, making the room brighter than just what a lit tank would normally add.



NICREW ClassicLED Plus LED Aquarium Light, Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light for Freshwater Review:


I've now bought a second Nicrew light for my tanks. I bought the Classic model for my 15-gallon tank at first, and I liked it so much that I went back and bought a Classic Plus for my 56-gallon tank. Both lights are of a high caliber and have a great output. This one is made of sturdy aluminum and has extended brackets; in fact, it came with two different kinds of brackets, one for aquariums with thin frames and the other for aquariums with broader frames, which is quite wonderful. Since all of my lights are on timers, I don't utilize the switch that allows you to go from full spectrum to blue just for a nighttime effect. However, if that's the aesthetic you're striving for, it does produce a good result.I have to say that Nicrew's customer care has absolutely blown me away, and as a result, I will probably continue to buy their items for a very long time. My second lamp, which I had bought, was delivered with a dead transformer. I plugged the light in using the transformer from my earlier purchase, and it worked just fine, so I knew it was the transformer. I then asked customer support to send me a new transformer over the phone. Since the item is fulfilled by Amazon, they were unable to send transformers without a light, so they asked if I would be okay with them sending me a return from another customer's order. Their reasoning was that since the package likely wasn't returned for a dead transformer, I could simply take the transformer from that package and have a working light, saving them from having to waste an entire working light. I thought that was a sound strategy, therefore I decided the risk was justified.They shipped the package off right away by UPS, however UPS misplaced it. I finally noticed the tracking slip, and it was awful. UPS shipped it from Arizona to Virginia, then from Virginia to Washington, then to Ohio, Illinois, and West Virginia, before returning to Virginia in the end. Nicrew had nothing to do with the lost item; this was entirely UPS' issue. Nevertheless, Nicrew was so sorry about it that they sent me a pretty good algae scraper as a present. Ironically, the transformer I required wasn't in the return lamp since the person who returned it didn't care to put all the pieces back in.When I contacted Nicrew again to let them know the strategy hadn't worked, they felt bad and apologized for taking up so much of my time (despite though UPS took up 90% of the time, not Nicrew!). At that moment, they made the decision to give me a brand-new light and advised me not to even bother sending back the two lights they had already supplied me—both of which functioned, but lacked transformers! I now have three functional lights in addition to an algae scraper, despite the fact that I can only plug in one at a time. Amazing! The Nicrew person was quite kind throughout it all and swiftly answered all of my messages. They answered to every email I sent them, even when I hadn't emailed them in a few days while waiting on UPS because they are in a different time zone and most of their responses came in the middle of the night.Despite the issues, this was a really positive experience, and I heartily recommend purchasing it as well as any other Nicrew products you would find interesting.



NICREW SkyLED Aquarium Light Planted Tanks, Full Spectrum Freshwater Fish Tank Light Review:


The Nicrew LED Aquarium Lighting strip is a great way to get started with LED technology. Under a cool 6000k rating, it provides a decent amount of brightness.It will be encouraging to read that reefing can support low light corals like softies, star polyps, and mushrooms. Its excellent plant support will appeal to freshwater aficionados. Just keep in mind that algae will bloom when light can sustain life so well.Although the legs can come out of the body, the lamp will be ready to plug in and turn on when it is delivered. I do not advise utilizing the lamp at its very maximum size because of this. The legs are prone to falling out when completely extended, which could cause the light to fall directly into the tank.This leads us to our next point. The light should always be shielded from moisture and spills because it is not in any way waterproof. The best way to achieve this is with a glass tank top. A waterproof sealer can also be used to help protect the light. If you go this path, bear in mind that the light now has chemicals on it, making it considerably riskier for the occupants of the tank.The foot of the legs include clamps at the ends that may be attached to any surface that is up to 1/2 inch thick.Once the light is installed, you must decide how to use it. The sky is a deep, rich blue with the full moon.On the light's body is a switch that controls the settings. This implies that you must manually adjust the light settings rather than using a controller to manage them.This light is used as a throwaway light because it is not weatherproof. Humidity will eventually cause the light to dim, even if there is a glass cover between it and the water. For this reason, I suggest against disassembling the lamp unless you're prepared to reassemble it after letting it dry in a warm, dry place.You must take off the acrylic cover and wipe both sides of the Nicrew LED light strip in order to clean it.You should use a cotton swab to gently wipe any algae off the LEDs themselves if there is any. Apply gentle pressure while the LED is unplugged. You must allow the light to dry for some time if you must remove the algae with any liquids. This is best used right before lights out because any moisture can harm the LEDs.Contrary to more well-known companies like Marineland, Current USA, and Aquaillumination, the Nicrew withholds all information regarding the lights' intensity. I discovered the type of LED utilized for this light strip after carefully reading this light. The 6000 K and 25 lumens of the 2835 SMD LED are used. This would undoubtedly account for the light fixture's brightness. Epistar, a firm well recognized for its powerful, long-lasting LED, is the manufacturer of the LED. The Nicrew LED light strip was able to sustain a large number of softies, star polyps, and mushrooms when tested with breeder tanks, which are longer and enable light to more readily reach the bottom of the tank.The Nicrew LED light strip was able to sustain a large number of softies, star polyps, and mushrooms when I tested it with breeder tanks, which are longer and enable light to more readily reach the bottom of the tank.The corals would live in deeper tanks, but they would never fully develop. In shallow tanks, the light can therefore pass for low-light corals, and it can even be employed as a supplemental light when a tank requires additional illumination. Large or tall reef tanks will require additional lighting. The Nicrew LED light strip operates admirably in freshwater environments, causing plants to flourish quickly. However, in tanks with plenty of nutrients, this quick growth can also produce a sizable amount of algae. Reduce feeding and keep the light on for shorter lengths of time if you notice a lot of algae.The Nicrew comes with a fantastic 12-month warranty. Even though it may not last as long as more expensive lights, this is still much better than lights with a similar price. However, it is unlikely to cover water damage, so make sure you use a glass top or limit the circulation of water.There is basically only one thing that determines lifetime: when does the water reach it? This light can endure anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the precautions you take. The body won't shatter unless you handle it incorrectly, and the LEDs won't burn out any time soon. I wish there had been lighting like this when I first began reefing.



MingDak LED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light Under Water Light Submersible Crystal Glass Lights White Light/Blue Light Review:


With this light, especially considering the price, I'm really happy. Given that my 30 gallon planted tank receives a lot of intense light throughout the day, I bought it to serve as a "moonlight" for it. I usually use this light in the evening after turning on the bright lights from 7 am to 7 pm. It decreases the likelihood of algae growth and gives the tank a very calm appearance. Additionally, it illuminates my fish in a way that significantly alters their color to a rich tone, making them appear to be whole different species. I've only had it in the tank for about a week, but so far I'm quite delighted with it and it's doing fantastic. The contrast between high lighting and this light may be seen in the before and after photos that are attached.This would need to be 10 gallons or smaller if you wanted to light a tank with it. I find it difficult to imagine that this produces enough light, even at 10 gallons, to actually grow any excellent plants. In a smaller tank, some low-light plants might flourish well. Any lamp that is larger than 10 gallons is essentially just accent or moonphase illumination.



NICREW ClassicLED Plus Planted Aquarium Light, Full Spectrum LED Fish Tank Light for Freshwater Plants Review:


I purchased this light in order to create a tank that was more intensively aquascaped and contained numerous live plants, and I'm really happy with it. It was really simple to set up and is simple to take off if I need to remove the aquarium's hood to make tank modifications. Even though none of my plants require a lot of light, after just three days, they already appear greener and healthier. In the daylight, I like the full spectrum white light, while the blue setting also has a cool appearance. Because my aquarium hood is black, it matches, and the light overall has a low profile and doesn't detract from the tank's aesthetic appeal.I believe the product is reasonably priced, making it available to novice fishkeepers like myself. This isn't the way to go if you prefer a more yellowish light, like that of incandescent bulbs, as the light is unmistakably white, but it beautifully lights the tank and its occupants for viewing. 10/10 would advise.



NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light with Extendable Brackets, White and Blue LEDs Review:


This article examines the 20–27 "model (so I guess the medium sized one). Be aware that this is only a review of first impressions. I haven't used this item for an extended period of time because I only installed it on my tank after receiving it. Additionally, I use timers to control my tank lighting, so I don't use the "blue LEDs exclusively" option. Instead, I have the light set to fully on and let the timer turn it on and off during the day. But a regular light timer does function with this light just fine (one of those mechanically operated ones with the round face the slowly rotates and you put the little plastic pieces in at the times you want on or off)Blue and White LED Aquarium Hood Lighting Fish Tank Light for Freshwater and SaltwaterThe hood on my normal 10-gallon tank ultimately failed me. It was the typical 15W, 18 "I used a T-8 fluorescent light hood for nearly 20 years with no problems. But this was a good time to improve. I wanted to switch to LEDs because I do cultivate easy low light plants in my tanks, but I also needed to make sure the light was at least as bright as a regular 15W T-8, which is about 800 lumens. This light is noticeably brighter and has a very natural sunshine appearance (it isn't as blue-looking as I had feared). I often choose 5000K bulbs because I find those that are over 6500L to be far too blue for my tastes. This neighborhood appears to be primarily in the 5000–6000K range, which is where I love to live.The length of a typical 10 gallon is approximately 20 inches, thus one may believe the 11-19 "The model is accurate. And that concept will probably be ideal for the majority of folks if you don't group any real plants. But if you're considering growing any kind of live plants, I would highly recommend the 20-27 "The best option is a model. It stretches across the entire length of a typical 10-gallon tank while still leaving space on each side for the legs to rest on the tank sides.Since I maintain common guppies in it, which thrive in cool tanks, neither this particular tank is heated nor does it contain any fish known to be jumpers. I decided to take off the complete hood and use the new light over open water, thus (I have a 30 gallon I have run this way for years without issue). You can use this light with the hood, though, if it has a full hood and a removable light strip attached to it (this is very common). Simply place it over the glass strip where the previous strip light was located. However, if you need to retain heat or jumpers in the tank, it will function just fine even though it does sit a few inches above the glass and I believe too much light is lost to the room rather than directed down.the light looks great in my planted tank (yes, the java moss needs to be thinned out a LOT), how the feet of this light sit on the plastic trim piece of a standard glass aquarium, and 4) how high above the water/hood/glass the light will sit. The photos that are attached show how well the light fits over a standard 10-gallon (using no glass or hood).Keep in mind that if you use this over a glass top, a lot of light will likely be reflected up into the room, making the room brighter than just what a lit tank would normally add.



Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome Lamp Fixture with 5.5-Inch Dome, Black Review:


These domes perform admirably. They serve both as ceramic bulb heaters and lights for me. They all have timers and dimmers attached to them, which keeps my habitats, well, livable.When I need to remove the cover from my enclosures, I can hang these up on the wall thanks to the wire hook/loop on top. I feel at ease utilizing heating fixtures because of the ceramic socket and on/off button along the power cord.WARNING: These have a 100 watt maximum rating. Therefore, please purchase a dome that is rated adequately if you're purchasing ceramic heat emitters. The safety of your home and the lives of your pet are more important than a few dollars saved on an electrical item.



S SMIFUL LED Aquarium Light, Fish Tank Light RGB Color Changing Underwater Light Submersible Crystal Glass Lights Review:


I must admit that I was a little hesitant to buy these, but I'm so glad I did now. I uploaded a few images using different color settings, but that only represents a fraction of the possible color combinations. I put two of the 19" lights—each of which comes with three suction cups—into my 60 gallon tank. Normally, I'm not a fan of suction cups, but these are very powerful. The lights suction directly underneath my two folding glass covers over my tank, which really worked out really well.Cons: These lights only cause me a few minor problems. I had to open the bottom cabinets for the remote control to detect the IR sensor adjacent to the light's socket because it doesn't have the best range and my lights are connected into the outlets under the tank. The "blinking" button on the remote has a several settings, but I wouldn't advise using it unless it's just a planter tank because it could hurt your fish. Unfortunately, these do not have the feature that would allow you to program the lights to SLOWLY transition from color to color as I had hoped they would. If not, it would be simple to give this a 5/5 rating.In conclusion, if you want to switch up the look of your tank, I would suggest investing in these lights. Hopefully the business will implement a feature that allows the colors to gradually shift in the future.5/30/19 Update: The vendor contacted me in response to my review above, and it turns out that you can configure the shifting colors to change slowly. I tried it out, and while it does work, I wasn't too impressed because the colors don't transition smoothly; instead, they just switch over abruptly. However, I'm still delighted with my purchase because the lights are excellent and the fish adore it.



NICREW Multi-Colored LED Aquarium Air Stone Disk, Round Fish Tank Bubbler with Auto Color Changing LEDs Review:


A 20 gallon tank was recently set up for an aquaponic experiment I am conducting. My desire for an airstone became apparent. Beyond having a 5 gallon aquaponic setup and gardening as a passion/hobby, I lack experience. I am unsure of the distinctions between the various airstones, bubble tubes, etc. But since the lid—where the light is kept—isn't being used, I did need to add a stone and a light. Anyway, I just received the stone and quickly set it up. I adore it a lot. I adore that it is an airstone, lightweight, and produces a lot of bubbles. The 4 in. model was mine. The smaller model doesn't seem big enough for much more than a 10 gallon tank. I saw in the directions that there is also a 12-month warranty! Oh, I didn't notice that the air pump's tubing was included anywhere, but it is. There is no need to purchase tubing for this; nevertheless, I will keep the air tubing I purchased for future use.


Do fish get bothered by LED lights?

No, fish do not get bothered by LED lights. In fact, they are often attracted to the light emitted by LEDs. This is why many aquariums and fish tanks use LED lights to help illuminate the water and make the fish more visible.

Do fish like aquarium lights?

Many people believe that fish like aquarium lights because they are attracted to the light. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In fact, fish are more likely to be attracted to the light because it makes it easier for them to find food.

Do fish need total darkness at night?

No, fish do not need total darkness at night. They are capable of adapting to different light levels and can even sleep in well-lit tanks.

Do fish prefer light or no light?

Do fish prefer light or no light? A new study has found that fish prefer light over no light. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that fish given the choice between light and no light preferred light. The study tested the preferences of four different species of fish: the guppy, the molly, the swordtail, and the zebrafish. The researchers found that all four species of fish preferred light over no light. The study's lead author, UNC Chapel Hill professor of biology Deborah Dolan,

How bright should my aquarium light be?

If you are unsure about how bright to make your aquarium light, a good rule of thumb is to make it bright enough so that you can easily see the fish in the tank. However, you don't want to make the light so bright that it hurts your eyes or makes it difficult to see the fish.

How do I know if my fish are happy?