As a pet lover, if you own an aquarium, there is a need to have the best LED aquarium lighting for plants, corals and your pets. This is one of the numerous ways to show your pets how much you care about them. Just as humans, animals/organisms also need to be cared for.
The LED aquarium lighting is designed mainly for plants and corals. Looking at the way this product is created, it is built to deliver adequate lighting for both plants and corals living inside the water under the right temperature.
In addition to creating an enabling environment for the lives inside the aquarium, this fantastic product as well enhances the beauty of the organisms living in the aquarium.
When you look across the market today, you will notice that there are numerous brands and models to choose from.
With the large numbers of LED aquarium lighting to choose from, getting the best deal could be a confusing and challenging task.
How to Choose LED Lights for Aquarium
The list of models and brands of LED aquarium lighting on the market today goes on and on. Looking at the number of brands, choosing the best product can be scary, confusing, and almost painful to achieve.
To get rid of an unnecessary headache, there is a list of things to put into consideration.
You have to sit down and ask yourself some interesting questions. If you can genuinely answer all of these questions, then you are almost there.
To get the best model of LED aquarium lighting, the following are some of the essential things you have to consider:
Come up with a budget
While planning on the type of model to go for, make sure you have a budget. Your budget will guide you through your purchase.
Once you have a budget, you already have a guide. The next step after you must have agreed on how much you are willing to invest in this product is to plan your search toward that price.
Remember, do not settle for something low. Sometimes, to get a product of excellent quality, you have to invest hugely in it.
Make sure your budget is within the market’s average. Make sure it is not too low, and it should not be too high.
Consider the size of your aquarium
this is one major factor you need to keep an eye on when you are on the lookout for the right LED lighting for your aquarium.
When you have an idea about how small or how big your aquarium is, it informs you about the range of lighting to go for.
For instance, if you have a big aquarium and only settle for smaller lighting options, in the end, the light won’t be evenly distributed across the tank. Most notably, the lives in the lowest part of the receptacle will be deprived of light.
So, how big your aquarium is, determines the light you will have to settle for. The bigger the aquarium, the more the light required.
Understand the light spectrum and intensity
while going through the available lists of models to choose from, you would come across various light spectrums and intensities to pick from.
If you want your plants to receive the needed level of lighting for every phase of their growth and development, then you have to consider this.
There are different light colors and intensities that fully support or enhance every growth stage. So, you have to understand the most suitable color and brightness for every growth stage of your plant.
Consider the type of plants you have in your aquarium
This is another significant factor to consider. Identify the types of plants in your aquarium, and closely monitor their growth stages.
For example, if your corals and plants are still in their early growth phase, the light intensity to go for will be entirely different from what they would need as they grow further.
For each growth stage, there is a light requirement which you need to adhere to. Also, the light requirement for every plant differs. So, study what you have in your aquarium so as to come up with the right lighting requirement for them.
Consider the Features
This is the last factor on our list. For every model, there are various features that come with them. Sometimes, the features that are present in Model A might not be present in Model B.
So, before you invest in any model, check through the features. Do not assume all models have the same features and functions. Go for a model that has the features you need; you don’t have to overstress it.
For every feature you want, there is a model for you. In most cases, the more the features that come with a model, the more expensive they are.
10 Best LED Aquarium Lighting for the Money
To make your buying experience very easy and productive, in this article, we have identified the top 10 LED aquarium lightings you can choose from.
Each of the models or brands identified in this article has its advantages and downsides.
When you take your time to go through all of the highlighted points, it will guide your purchase decision and as well ensure you get the perfect brand or model of lighting that fits your specifications and needs.
Top Rated Led Aquarium Lights Reviews
The top brands and models of LED aquarium lighting on the market include Current USA, Finnex, NICREW, Beamworks, COODIA, Aquatic Life, and HIPARGERO.
The following are top 10 LED aquarium lighting models you can pick from:
1. Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light for Aquarium- A model with adequate lighting options
- Water resistance
- The LED light bulbs are very efficient
- A perfect choice for aquarium within the sizes of 18 to 60 inches
- Light-weighted
- Made of top quality material
- Illumination of around 6500K
This model comes with a lot of enticing features. As a result of the amazing features it possesses, it is rated and considered as one of the top LED aquarium lightings on the market. With its full-spectrum LED, an illumination of around 6500K is guaranteed.
The design is fantastic, and the sleekness is one of the numerous attributes that make it stand out amongst the other designs on the market. It optimizes energy, thereby supports efficient energy consumption.
Also, it is user-friendly, it is not heavy, and it comes at an affordable rate. If you are looking for affordable and efficient lighting for your aquarium, this is the perfect pick for you.
Apart from its pocket-friendly nature, it is also very easy to install.
- Easy to program.
- Numerous lighting modes.
- Water resistant.
- Has a low voltage.
- Ideal for smaller aquariums.
2. Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light- Beautiful performance at its peak
- Comes in various sizes (18 to 60 inches)
- 4 memory slots
- Adjustable LEDs color
- Automatic control system
For this model or brand of LED aquarium to make it to our carefully compiled list of quality LED aquarium lighting, that says a lot about how impressive its performance is.
This fantastic design ensures your plants receive the appropriate care it deserves by making use of the several light intensities made available and, as well, figures out the different development cycles of the plants, and in the end, ensure the right environment that supports the growth of these plants is created.
This LED aquarium lighting comes with several features, all at an affordable rate. The numerous advantages this model presents every pet lover is impressive, and the design is top class.
The LED system can efficiently lit a standard aquarium, without tampering with the temperature, thereby ensuring the environment is stable.
This model is pocket-friendly, and it comes in various sizes. According to your preference, you can choose from the 18 inches size to the 60 inches size. Also, it comes with an easy to use features that enable or supports the need to adjust the color of the LEDs.
- 4 memory slots for customized LED lights.
- Low power usage.
- Features 12 preset light features.
- Made with durable aluminum housing.
- No manual control.
3. NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light- Offers more than its price
- Comes with two lighting options
- Made of high-quality material
- A perfect fit for Aquarium sizes within 46 to 54 inches
- Two lighting options (white and blue LED bulbs)
Forget about the price, this model offers more amazing features than some expensive aquarium lightings on the market.
So, if you are looking for a perfect choice of model to go for, this product is considered as one of the top options to pick from.
Being rated as one of the best products in a segment or category goes well beyond the name of the manufacturer or the brand, it extends to top service delivery.
What every buyer wants is top performance and service delivery. All of the needed features that an adequate aquarium lighting is expected to have; this fantastic design has the blend of those features.
Without any worries, this model ensures your aquarium is evenly and adequately illuminated, thanks to its excellent level of brightness. The LED bulbs produce super-efficient and very bright light.
The level of brightness which this model delivers is achieved without consuming much energy. Even though it is bright, it makes use of energy efficiently.
Its LED light bulbs are designed to deliver exceptionally at an economical and affordable rate. Also, its LED light bulbs have a long life span. So, bulbs replacement doesn’t happen regularly.
This model is a perfect fit for aquarium sizes that fall within 46 to 54 inches. Now, every large aquarium owners have an ideal fit for their tanks.
This model comes with two lighting options to perfectly fit and as well bring out the beauty of the day time and that of the night time, respectively.
For amazing result during the daytime, the white and blue LED bulbs can be used. And at night, the result is amazing when the blue LED bulbs is solely used.
- Features both day and night modes.
- Adjustable metal bracket mounts.
- Quality materials.
- The light can be too bright.
4. Finnex FugeRay Aquarium LED Light- An ideal model for every Fish lover
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- The LED bulbs are evenly positioned, slim
- Made of top-quality materials
- The lifespan of the LED bulbs is about 40,000 hours
- The LED bulbs are of several colors
- Even distribution of light
This LED aquarium lighting is long, comes with a narrow bar, and is very slim in terms of appearance and design.
This model of aquarium lighting can comfortably light up the most significant aquariums, thanks to its LED bulbs that extend through 120 degrees.
The LED bulbs that accompany this design are of excellent quality and has a life span of about forty thousand (40,000) hours of continuous use.
To eradicate any form of heat and as well extend the life of the bulbs, the circuit boards of this product are designed using aluminum of top quality.
With the way the LED bulbs are positioned and designed, they support and sustain the growth and development of organisms in the aquarium.
In addition to the support to growth, the positioning and arrangement of the bulbs also ensures amazing lighting effects and also supports the even distribution of light across the aquarium, thereby limiting the lighting intensity.
The LED light bulbs are of different colors, this beautifies and as well enhances the growth and health of every organism that is housed in the aquarium.
The two distinct lighting options are suitable for the day and night, respectively.
You can make use of the daylight lighting option during the day, and the moonlight option at night. You can switch between these two options efficiently with the use of remote control.
- Quality materials.
- Has a thin design that blends with any aquarium.
- Splash resistant.
- Evenly distributed LEDs.
- Experiences problems with power supply.
5. Beamswork DA 6500K LED Pent Aquarium Light- Recommended for plant growth
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Made of top quality material
- Comes with a timer
- A perfect fit for all sizes of aquarium
- Bright illumination
- Long-lasting bulbs
No matter the effort made in coming up with an attractive aquarium, if you do not invest in the right aquarium lighting product, you will never get the result you desire.
To achieve your dream of a perfect aquarium, this is the right choice of lighting for you. At an affordable rate, this model ensures that the attractive and lively look you desire in your aquarium is achieved.
Are you planning to purchase LED lighting for your aquarium? You do not have to break the bank before you can come up with your ideal aquarium design. Its LED light bulbs are energy efficient. Thus, you won’t have to pay hugely for the required energy to power this model.
The design is sleek, and it can be installed in various sizes of aquariums or tanks. The LED light bulbs have a long life span, so replacement of bulbs is never going to be a frequent thing.
- Top-quality materials.
- Ideal for both small and big tanks.
- Easy to use timer.
- Available in two modes.
6. Koval Aquarium Lighting Fish Tank- A perfect fit for every aquarium
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Expandable bracket
- Light-weighted
- Perfect fit for all sizes of aquariums
- Three lighting options
This model is designed to fit all sizes of aquariums easily. It is long and slim in shape, and it comes with a bracket that can be easily extended to ensure it easily accommodates all sizes of aquariums ranging from small to large.
The light effects which this model illuminate is very efficient. To get the best outcomes, make sure the bracket is fully extended across the aquarium. Wherever the bracket extends to, the lights are effectively distributed across those areas.
In terms of energy consumption, the LED light bulbs that come with this model are designed for efficient energy consumption.
So, you do not have to be worried about investing heavily in energy requirements. It comes with a unique feature that functions as an energy saver. So, having the lights on every time won’t overshoot your energy bills.
To encourage effectiveness and efficiency, this model is designed in a way that damage to one LED bulb does not limit the performance of the other bulbs.
The full spectrum light is perfect for all aquatic plants, corals, and fishes. Also, it comes with 3 different lighting options.
You can decide to have all the lights on, you can choose only to have the blue LED bulb on, and you can as well decide to turn the lights off.
For practical use, you can choose to turn on the lights during the day, and only leave the blue LED bulb on during the night.
At night, having only the blue bulb on creates a moonlight effect. The moonlight effect gives the water an entirely new look.
- Comes in different lights and colors.
- Suitable for saltwater aquariums.
- 2 lighting options.
- Many users reported defective units.
7. COODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting- The difference you need
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Comes with a remote-controlled system
- 2 lighting effects
- Sizes vary between 35 to 45 inches
- illuminates 4 different colors
This amazing design is remote enabled. In terms of performance, when compared to some of the available lighting choices on the market, this model stands out.
With the aid of the remote control, you can perform quite a lot of functions with ease. You can switch between its different LED light bulbs, and as well reduce the brightness of the bulbs.
The LED light bulbs come in 4 different colors. These colors are red, green, blue, and white. This model is designed in a way that you have total control over all the features and functions using the remote control.
With the way the remote is designed, it is effortless to use and doesn’t require any previous handling experience.
For example, to switch between the available light colors, for each option, the switch buttons are represented by the colors. If you are switching to red, you press the red button, and the same applies to the other three colors.
“This model doesn’t come with a timer. A timer would have brought about efficiency in terms of switching between the various available light colors.”
And for the lighting effect, you can choose between a SMOOTH lighting effect option and the FADE lighting option.
The remote is all you need to navigate through all the available options, features, and functions that come with this model.
Also, you do not necessarily have to point the remote control directly to the aquarium before the receiver picks the signal. You can be in a different room and still carry out your preferred changes effectively.
The size of this model extends between 35 to 45 inches. It is very affordable, and it delivers on all reasonable expectations.
In a real sense, a constant switch between the various light color might not be the best practice, as such can lead to a restriction in plant growth and can as well create unnecessary stress for the fish in the aquarium.
It is advised you make use of the color switch options once in a while, notably when you want to get a special feel of what your tank could look like.
- Available in multiple colors.
- Expandable brackets.
- The brightness can be dimmed.
- Remote controllable.
- No timer function.
8. Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium lighting- Forget your bad lighting experience
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Delivers an uninterrupted 24 hours of lighting experience
- You can choose to dim the light
- Fully automated
- Enables/supports customization of light intensity
Compared to some of the aquarium lighting designs on the market, this amazing model is fully automated.
It was designed to ascertain and perceive the growth stage of your plant, thereby maintaining the needed or required the temperature to sustain plant growth.
To enhance the proper development and growth of your plant, this model uses various light colors as the need or requirement may be.
“While using this model, you have to be careful in terms of handling. If the remote control is not properly handled, it stops working.”
This model enables you to customize the intensity of light. With this function, you can choose to have a dim light whenever you feel like and as well decide on using the bright light as the case may be.
This LED aquarium lighting is easy to install and doesn’t detach after installation. For your plant aquarium, if you want the best experience, this is the perfect pick for you.
You do not have to worry about how best to enhance your plant’s growth. This model will take care of it all.
- Hands-free light cycle automation.
- Easy to set up.
- 4 memory slots for color combinations.
- One touch feature for setting the 24/7 light mode.
- Short power cord.
9. Aquatic Life LED Aquarium Light Fixture- One of the best investments you can ever make
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- No heating effect
- Supports all the lives in the aquarium
- Amazing design. Very sleek
- Comes with a timer
- Multiple light options
According to the manufacturer of this model, the desire to create this exciting model was conceived as a result of the demands from users for a top-quality product.
As of today, this model from Aquatic Life is regarded as a big break in the history of aquarium lighting.
This model is easy to use, the LED lighting options are not complicated, it is sleek, and it is as well affordable.
With this model, the lives of the plants, corals, and fishes inside the aquarium are enhanced. When compared with other designs, the features that come with this model are more advanced.
Well, as advanced as the features are, it can be easily accessed by anyone. You don’t have to be an expert before you can make use of the features that come with this model.
With the inclusion of a channel timer, you can switch between the various colors independently. The timer allows uninterrupted control over the light colors to ensure they fit in well with the time of the day.
The bright white color is a perfect choice during the day, as it gives a lookalike feel of the effect of sunlight under the water.
For an effect that is comparable to that of sunrise and sunset, you can choose the mixed color. And at night, you can solely make use of the blue LED bulb to create an impressive appearance of the moonlight.
The size of this model is 48 inches, and it delivers optimally in terms of lighting.
This amazing design produces the best result that supports the lives in the aquarium, and it does not heat the environment.
- Comes with a battery backup.
- Fully adjustable and controllable.
- Easy to install.
- Programmable LED lights.
- Expensive.
10. HIPARGERO LED Aquarium Light- A model for great quality and output
Read Customer Reviews Here >>>- Special design for aquariums that house the marine corals
- Operated manually
- Designed with an in-built fan
- Doesn’t produce heat
This model is designed to cater for marine life in your aquarium, especially. With the way the LED lights are built, they are positioned to enhance the growth of corals in your aquarium.
One significant difference between this model and some of the models in the market is the ability to reduce or lower the intensity of the lights if need be. The lighting spectrum is of two colors (white and blue).
Switching between the light colors is manual. Functions can only be controlled with the use of the hand. All it takes is a simple touch.
To ensure no heat is generated, this model comes with inbuilt fans. These fans are well-positioned in a way you might not be aware that they are even available or working. The purpose of these fans is to ensure the environment remains cool at all times.
- Two dimmable LED channels.
- Easy to adjust the light intensity.
- Good quality.
- Installation may be somewhat difficult.
FAQ about LED Aquarium Lights
What is the best model to go for?
Out of the numerous options available on the market, we have been able to carefully pull out the best LED aquarium lightings, which we believe will meet the specifications of everyone.
All you have to do is to carefully follow this buying guide to identify the model that delivers on your expectations from the 10 models that were comprehensively discussed.
Do LED lights support the growth of plants in the aquarium?
The importance of the light the LED bulbs produce can never be underestimated. The light enhances the growth of your plants, but you have to understand the selection process.
For every stage, the light requirement in terms of intensity and color differs. So, you have to choose the appropriate LED light for your plant so as to get the best result in terms of growth.
The plants in my aquarium are dying. What could be the cause?
There are numerous factors that could contribute to the death of the plants in your aquarium. On top of the list is having the wrong plant placed in the aquarium.
When buying a plant for your aquarium, it is advised that you should not just go for any plant.
Not all plants can survive in the aquarium. Also, there are some plants that can either survive in the saltwater or freshwater. So, do not assume that all plants can survive under both conditions.
Apart from the wrong choice of plant, other issues that could lead to the death of plants in the aquarium is the light requirements.
It is vital that you know the growth stage of your plants, which will allow you to choose the right lighting for that particular stage.
Do I need to turn the aquarium light off?
When you lit the aquarium, it gives the aquarium a totally different look, a look that is very appealing.
It is essential to understand how well you can make the aquarium appear more like the natural environment for the lives it houses. To achieve this, there is a need to regulate the lighting in the aquarium from time to time.
For example, when then light stays on, this makes the fish in the aquarium to stay active and move around.
The only time they can sleep, or better still, remain inactive is when there is a feeling of darkness. So, sometimes, you may decide to turn off the light and allow the aquarium to experience a bit of shade.
How do I install the LED aquarium lights?
There are several ways to install an aquarium light. As indicated earlier in this articles, do not assume that all models perform the same way. Coming back to this, the installation process varies from one model to another.
For example, some models of aquarium light can be installed on top of the aquarium, and for some, you would need to get a suspension mount.
So before you proceed with the purchase, make sure you go through the installation process to ensure it would be a perfect fit for your aquarium.
Are the lights always bright?
Well, some models allow you to switch between “bright” and “Dim” option. And in some models, the opportunity to switch between bright and dim is not available.
To switch between these two options, it can either be through the use of remote control or manually.
By manual control, all you need to do is to press the designated button simply. The switch can be found on the product.