Are you looking for the perfect light to bring your planted aquariums alive?
Planted aquarium light provides the ideal combination of wavelengths and intensity to support photosynthesis, allowing aquatic plants to thrive in their underwater environment.
We’ve scoured the market to find out what lights work best in aquatic environments. Our research reveals several options that have been designed specifically with planted aquariums in mind, providing the ideal combination of wavelengths and intensity to support photosynthesis.
Don’t settle for second-rate when it comes to sustaining healthy aquatic habitats - grab one of our top-reviewed products today and take advantage of all its features!
How We Picked The Best Options
Aquariums are a great way to relax and de-stress, but keeping them looking their best requires the right equipment.
It can be tough to figure out which aquarium lights are the best for your needs. You might not know what type of light you need, or even how to install it.
We've researched for you after comparing different options and have found the 7 best-planted aquarium lights on the market. Our list includes different types, so you can find the perfect one for your tank size and plant types.
Best Planted Aquarium Light With Adjustable Docking Mounts
Nicrew Planted Aquarium Light
Why We Love It
Nicrew planted aquarium light is a game-changer for aquarists with the key feature that make it stand out from other lighting fixtures in the market is its adjustable docking mounts. These mounts are designed to provide an easy way to quickly adapt to fit most rimless and framed aquariums, making it an ideal choice for growers who may have multiple planted tanks with different sizes.
The adjustable docking mount ensures that your plants receive optimal light coverage by allowing you to adjust the height and angle of the fixture as necessary. This means that you can easily direct light exactly where it's needed most in your tank, ensuring that all plants receive enough light for optimal growth and development.
Important to Know
Nicrew apart from other brands has a timer control channel. It allows you to control two different sets of LED lights at separate times - channel 1 for white, red, and green LEDs, and channel 2 for blue LEDs.
With separate channels, you can customize the lighting schedule for your plants based on their specific needs. During the day when natural sunlight is available or when you're away from home at work or school, you can set channel 1 to turn on and provide ample illumination with white, red, and green LED lights.
Why We Love It
Wills planted aquarium light comes with durable premium SMD chips. These chips provide high efficiency and high heat dissipation, making them energy-saving, environmentally protective, and affordable.
The energy-saving aspect of these chips means they consume less power while still providing optimal lighting conditions for your plants and fish. This not only saves you money on electricity bills but also makes it an environmentally friendly option.
The high efficiency and heat dissipation properties ensure that the light stays cool even after prolonged use, preventing any damage to your aquarium or its inhabitants.
Important to Know
Wills planted aquarium light comes with a customer satisfaction guarantee, which ensures complete peace of mind for users. With a 1-year warranty and 30-day money-back guarantee, customers can rest assured that they are getting the best service possible.
The satisfaction guarantee benefit of this product means that customers have nothing to lose by trying it out. If for any reason they are not completely satisfied with their purchase, they can return it within 30 days for a full refund.
This takes away all the risks associated with purchasing products online and gives customers complete confidence when shopping with Wills planted aquarium light.
Why We Love It
Hygger planted aquarium light boasts a sleek design that is sure to impress even the most discerning aquarists. The ultra-thin aluminum alloy and plastic shell not only add a touch of elegance to your tank but also ensures excellent heat dissipation, protecting your aquatic friends from overheating.
Another added benefit of this planted aquarium light's sleek design is its acrylic casing, which is Splash Resistant and safe to use. It gives you peace of mind knowing that accidental spills or splashes won't damage or harm the light fixture's internal components.
Important to Know
The two lighting modes of Hygger planted aquarium give aquarium owners a wide range of choices when it comes to lighting their tanks. The white and blue LED daylight mode is great for offering the desired light spectrum while increasing light intensity and canopy penetration, allowing aquatic plants to photosynthesize and grow vigorously.
On the other hand, the blue LED nightlight mode helps simulate natural moonlight conditions, further optimizing the environment in which coral or algae can thrive in a planted aquarium. Furthermore, this allows viewers to enjoy their planted aquarium day or night with the touch of a button.
Best LED Aquarium Light With An Efficient Cooling System
Lominie LED Aquarium Light
Why We Love It
The Lominie planted aquarium light has become a popular choice among aquarium enthusiasts for its efficient cooling system. Thanks to its advanced cooling system, you can rest assured that your plants and fish will thrive without being exposed to excessive heat.
The aluminum fins heatsink and silent fan allow the light to operate at a temperature of 30 degrees, ensuring that it doesn't overheat and damage the plants or fish in the tank. With noise levels lower than 28 dB (A), you won't even know it's running, creating a comfortable environment for both you and your aquatic pets.
Important to Know
When it comes to planted aquariums, it is essential to have the right lighting system in place. With its 80-watt COB LED light and 90-degree secondary lens, the Lominie aquarium is changing the game.
This superior lighting system not only provides highly even illumination but also offers maximum PAR performance and excellent penetrability for plants all within a single light, making this item a must-have for anyone looking to create their perfect planted tank.
Best Aquarium Light That is Durable & Energy Efficient
Weaverbird Aquarium Light
Why We Love It
Weaverbird planted aquarium light is unlike any other, offering an innovative and durable design that will brighten up your planted aquarium like never before. With a slim and sleek body created out of strong ABS plastic, it ensures no heat build-up while providing long-lasting and super-bright lighting.
Not only will you experience amazing shimmer in the water, but this energy-efficient LED light will save you 40% more electricity than traditional LED lights - powering up your aquarium in style.
Important to Know
It can be overwhelming to create and maintain a planted aquarium, but thankfully Weaverbird makes the process easier. Specifically, the easy-to-install feature of Weaverbird is incredibly helpful - instead of needing to buy and use glue or drills to attach plants to an aquarium wall, this product clips on for convenience and stability.
This allows for the seamless installation of aquatic life into aquariums that might have otherwise not been available. Featuring light-up options, it helps both plants and fish thrive in the environment.
Why We Love It
Lominie has introduced a planted aquarium light that comes with remote control and wifi control features, making it easier for aquarium enthusiasts to manage their led aquarium lights. With the remote, you can easily adjust the brightness and color temperature from your comfort zone without having to reach out to the light fixture physically.
This feature also allows you to create different light settings that match your preference or mimic natural daylight conditions, providing a comfortable environment for your fish and plants.
In addition to remote control, the Lominie planted aquarium lighting also comes with wifi control capabilities that allow you to manage your led aquarium lights from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
Important to Know
The many advantages of a Lominie planted aquarium are enhanced by its Brightness cob LED technology and Pixie 30 features. This powerful light packs 28 chips with 90-degree lenses, capable of lighting up any part of the aquarium with even illumination.
With its strong penetrability, no dark spots will remain hidden, meaning every corner of your aquarium will be filled with vibrant colors and life brought to you by the beautiful plants that inhabit it. As such, the benefits of using this high-quality lighting solution will make the experience all the more rewarding.
Why We Love It
MingDak planted aquarium light comes with three different light modes, but it also mimics the natural underwater effect of sunlight, making it an excellent choice for any fish tank.
The three light modes are a real game-changer because they allow you to customize your lighting experience according to your preferences.
Whether you want white blue red LEDS or just blue LEDs on, this aquarium light has got you covered. The white-blue-red setting is perfect for replicating a sunny day in your fish tank while the white-red mode provides a warmer glow that's ideal for nighttime viewing.
Important to Know
MingDak's lighting time setting is a great benefit for planted aquariums. Setting the light to turn on and off at the same predetermined time every day offers consistency for your aquarium inhabitants, allowing aquatic plants and animals to live life according to their natural circadian rhythm, known as an organism's daily biological cycle.
This consistent cycling of light and dark not only helps with proper tank ecology but also keeps your plants and fish healthier because it eliminates stress caused by sudden changes in lighting times. With MingDak's Lighting Time setting, you don't need to worry about manually turning on/off the lights every day since the fixture will take care of it for you;
FAQ's
Aquarium owners want to know more about the planted aquarium lights before they make a purchase.
A lot of people are interested in getting into the planted aquarium hobby, but they're not sure where to start. They have a lot of questions about what type of light is best for their tank, how often they should change the light, and how much it will cost.
This FAQ section is full of information about all things planted aquarium lighting. We answer common questions as well as related aspects so you may know all about them.
Which light is better for planted aquariums?
When it comes to lighting for planted aquariums, LED lights are a great option. LED lights produce less heat and consume less energy than other types of lighting, making them an energy-efficient choice.
They also provide a full spectrum of light, which is important for photosynthesis in aquatic plants. LED lights can be adjusted for intensity and color temperature to give aquarists more control over the light their plants receive.
Which is better LED or fluorescent for a planted aquarium?
LED lighting is the better choice for planted aquariums. LEDs provide more specific wavelengths of light than fluorescent bulbs, which makes them more efficient in providing the exact type of light needed for photosynthesis.
LED lights are much more energy efficient and last longer than fluorescent bulbs. This means that they will save you money in the long run since you won't need to replace them as often.
Is blue or white light better for planted aquariums?
Blue light is better for aquatic plants because it encourages photosynthesis, which helps them to grow and flourish. Blue light also helps to bring out the vibrant colors of the fish and other creatures in your aquarium.
Do algae grow better in blue light?
Yes, algae do grow better in blue light. This is because blue light has a shorter wavelength than other colors of light, allowing it to penetrate deeper into the water and reach the algae.
Blue light is more efficiently absorbed by the photosynthetic pigments found in many types of algae. This allows them to use the energy from blue light more efficiently for growth and reproduction.
What is the best aquarium light to prevent algae?
The best aquarium light to prevent algae is one that provides the right balance of light intensity and spectrum for your tank. A light with a higher Kelvin rating (in the range of 6500-10,000K) will produce more blue light, which helps to inhibit algae growth.
It is important to ensure that the light you choose is not too intense for your tank - too much light can cause an algae bloom. Look for lights that come with adjustable timers so you can control how long your tank is exposed to light each day. This will help prevent algae from growing out of control.
How many hours of light do aquarium plants need?
The amount of light aquarium plants needs depends on the type of plant. Low-light plants, such as Anubis and java ferns, require only 2-3 hours of direct lighting per day.
Medium-light plants, such as most stem plants and Cryptocorynes, need around 8 hours of light each day. High-light plants, like some stem plants and many carpeting species, require 12 or more hours of direct lighting per day.
Can aquarium plants grow without light?
Yes, aquarium plants can grow without light. This is possible because some aquarium plants can survive in low light conditions and can photosynthesize using the energy they get from other sources. These sources include nutrients from the water and carbon dioxide from the air.
Is UV light good for aquarium plants?
Yes, UV light can be beneficial for growing aquarium plants. Ultraviolet (UV) light provides energy that helps aquatic plants to photosynthesize and grow.
This type of bright light is especially useful for low-light aquariums where other types of lighting may not be sufficient for plant growth. UV light can help to reduce the number of algae in an aquarium by preventing its growth.
How many watts do I need for a planted aquarium?
The number of watts you need for a planted aquarium depends on several factors, such as the type of plants you are growing, the size of your aquarium, and how much light your plants need. A 20-gallon tank, you will need about 2 to 3 watts per gallon. If your tank is larger than this, then you may need more wattage.
Do aquarium-led lights cause algae?
Yes, aquarium led light can cause algae. Algae is a type of plant that thrives in water and needs light to grow. When an aquarium has too much light, the algae will begin to grow rapidly and take over the tank. The excess light encourages the growth of green algae which can be unsightly and disrupt the balance of the tank.
Can you put too much light in an aquarium?
Yes, you can put too much light in an aquarium. Too much light can cause algae growth and other water quality issues. Algae is a natural part of any aquarium ecosystem, but too much can be problematic. An excess of light can also lead to an increase in temperature, which can be dangerous for fish and other aquatic life.
How far should lights be from aquarium plants?
The ideal distance between aquarium lights and plants depends on the type of lighting you are using. For fluorescent lighting, the bulbs should be placed about 6-8 inches above the water's surface. This is close enough to provide adequate light for most aquatic plants, but far enough away to avoid overheating the water.
For LED lights, a greater distance is recommended. LEDs are more powerful than fluorescents, so they should be placed 12-18 inches above the water's surface.
Do LED lights need cooling fans for aquariums?
LED lights do not require cooling fans for aquariums. LEDs are much more efficient than other types of lighting, so they produce very little heat and do not need additional cooling. Some LED aquarium light fixtures may be designed with built-in fans to help dissipate heat.
This is usually only necessary in larger tanks where the light fixture is close to the water surface. In these cases, a fan can help keep the temperature of the water from rising too high due to the light fixture's proximity.
Can I leave my fish tank light on 24/7?
It is not recommended to leave your fish tank light on for 24 hours a day. Fish need a regular day and night cycle to stay healthy and happy. Keeping the lights on for too long can lead to stress and health problems for your fish.
Finally
With these top 7 planted aquarium light reviews, you now have a better understanding of the various types of lights available to ensure your aquatic plant and fish tank thrive. The mentioned lights offer reliable illumination both for beginners and experts in different situations. Furthermore, thanks to their energy efficiency, you can save money while giving your plants and fish what they need.
Finally, no matter which lighting system best fits your needs, don't forget that little details like taking into consideration how often you will use the light and what kind of environment it can give off to aquatic life are always great things to keep in mind when selecting the best choice for yourself.
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