What light should you get for your aquarium? The right light affects everything in your tank. The right lighting set-up can maximize plant growth, improve the plant’s colors, and control algae. Finding the best aquarium lights for planted tanks is essential for any tank enthusiast. Whether you are setting a habitat for corals or freshwater plants, you need the right aquarium lights to help them grow.
We have come up with a list of aquarium lights best for planted fish tanks that you can choose from.
Comparison Chart
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light | The best LED aquarium light for planted tanks can come in a contemporary and ultra-slim design. The Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light claims to be the ultimate planted LED clip light. | ||
| Aqueon Aquarium Clip-On LED Light | The best aquarium lights for planted tanks should help support and grow lush plants. The Aqueon Aquarium Clip-On LED Light aims to do just that for you. | ||
| Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light | The best aquarium light for planted tank should have the right lumen count, and the Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light has 5,000. | ||
| AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light | Maybe you need the best aquarium lights for planted tanks that come in multi-color? The AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light comes in different colors. | ||
| NICREW BrightLED Aquarium Light | Maybe you are looking for a set that helps cool down the lights to make it last longer? The NICREW BrightLED Aquarium Light is designed to do just that. | ||
| Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light | The best aquarium lights for planted tanks can come with multiple modes, and the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light adds excitement and intrigue to your tank. | ||
| MQ 24/7 Planted Plus Aquarium LED Light | How about a device that has multiple weather settings? The MQ 24/7 Planted Plus Aquarium LED Light can provide your tank with a natural feeling habitat. |
A Critical Review Between The 7 Best Aquarium Lights For Planted Tanks
Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light
The best LED aquarium light for planted tanks can come in a contemporary and ultra-slim design. The Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light claims to be the ultimate planted LED clip light.
Product Highlights
The Finnex FugeRay Planted+ Aquarium LED Light is designed with Lunar Blue Moonlight LEDs that come in a clip light molding. Unlike most multiple high output LEDs cramped together, this product features a more evenly spaced LED alignment.
The Good
Its hood is made out of aluminum and plastic. Its wattage is 5 watts and comes in Lunar Blue Moonlight LEDs. It also includes 660nm RED LED’s to promote chlorophyll photosynthesis. It is a sleek design that makes it ideal for rimless aquariums.
The Bad
The light is very powerful, but it is also very small. Because of its size, it cannot reach or push light into the corners. The arm is not adjustable.
PROs
- It features evenly spaced LED alignment.
- It comes in Lunar Blue Moonlight LEDs.
- It includes 660nm RED LED’s to promote chlorophyll photosynthesis.
- It is moisture-resistant.
- The LEDs can last more than 40,000 hours.
CONs
- It may not reach or push light into the corners for larger tanks.
- It does not include a dimmer.
Aqueon Aquarium Clip-On LED Light
The best aquarium lights for planted tanks should help support and grow lush plants. The Aqueon Aquarium Clip-On LED Light aims to do just that for you.
Product Highlights
The Aqueon Aquarium Clip-On LED Light is a clip-on tank LED light that is ideal for helping the growth of lush plants. It is ideal for planted aquariums up to 20 gallons.
The Good
This clip-on includes 60 bright LEDs with a three-way soft-touch LED control. Control the lights if you want it all on, only blues on, or all off. Plus, it easily mounts on framed or frameless tanks with a mounting screw.
The Bad
The elegant super thin clip-on LED lights hover over the tank and provide optimal lighting for a thriving plant environment, but it may not be used with a dimmer. It is ideal for planted aquariums up to 20 gallons but may not push light far enough into the corners.
PROs
- It is ideal for planted aquariums up to 20 gallons.
- It easily mounts on framed or frameless tanks with a mounting screw.
- It can be used with a timer.
- It is ideal for beginners and hobbyists.
CONs
- It may be too long for 5-gallon tanks.
- It may not be used with a dimmer.
- It may not reach or push light into the corners for larger tanks.
Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light
The best aquarium light for planted tank should have the right lumen count, and the Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light has 5,000.
Product Highlights
The Beamworks Beamswork DA 6500K 0.50W Series LED Pent Aquarium Light provides high-quality, energy-efficient lighting that surely replaces fluorescent tube lights.
The Good
The great thing about this product is that it is fitted with 6500K spectrum LEDs that are mostly used for planted freshwater setups. The LEDs are fitted in a sleek and razor-thin fixture that can be easily placed on top. Plus, it is pre-wired for use with the optional timer module to program on and off times. It comes with two modes – all lights on or 16x only.
The Bad
The legs are adjustable, but it is made for a 48-inch tank and cannot be extended. The LED lights produce heat, and it may decrease the water level.
PROs
- It includes long-lasting LEDs with no bulb replacement required.
- It comes with an optional timer module to program on and off times.
- It can be placed easily on top of tanks.
CONs
- It is only ideal for 48-inch tanks.
- The power adaptor needs to be maintained for continuous use.
AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light
Maybe you need the best aquarium lights for planted tanks that come in multi-color? The AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light comes in different colors.
Product Highlights
The AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light features a total of 42 LEDs – 30 6500K white LED lights, and six blue LED lights, three pink LED lights, and 3 Green LED lights.
The Good
This item can fit an aquarium tank measuring 18 to 24 inches. It is easily adjustable with mounting brackets. The full spectrum makes growing aquatic plants easier, which makes it ideal for beginners. It makes the water so clear.
The Bad
The lights are super bright and energy-efficient but only comes in two modes – all lights on or off. It also includes a splash guard, but it is not waterproof. It also produces heat.
PROs
- It is easily adjustable with mounting brackets.
- It is suitable for freshwater tanks.
- It is ideal for tanks measuring 18 to 24 inches.
- It includes a total of 42 LED lights.
CONs
- The light needs to be kept away from splashing water.
- It only comes in two modes – all lights on or off.
- It includes a splash guard, but it is not waterproof.
- It is not dimmable.
NICREW BrightLED Aquarium Light
Maybe you are looking for a set that helps cool down the lights to make it last longer? The NICREW BrightLED Aquarium Light is designed to do just that.
Product Highlights
The NICREW BrightLED Aquarium Light has a sleek fixture design that is built with high-quality aluminum housing. The housing helps cool down the lights that make the bulb last even longer.
The Good
The amazing thing about this design is that it produces high output LED lighting, which is ideal for freshwater fish and low-high light level plants. It is ideal for tanks measuring 18 to 24 inches in width and can fit aquarium walls that are 15mm thick or less. This is brighter than fluorescent tube lights.
The Bad
It is marine water-resistant, but it does not include a canopy. Installing a glass or acrylic canopy is highly recommended to extend the life of the device by preventing moisture from affecting it. It is recommended to turn the device and provide lights for eight to ten hours a day. Installing a timer can make lighting easier.
PROs
- It is ideal for freshwater fish and low-high light level plants.
- It is easily adjustable with mounting legs.
- It is ideal for tanks measuring 18 to 24 inches.
- It provides full depth lighting even in deep aquariums.
CONs
- It can only fit aquarium walls that are 15mm thick or less.
- It does not come with a timer.
- It does not include a canopy.
Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light
The best aquarium lights for planted tanks can come with multiple modes, and the Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light adds excitement and intrigue to your tank.
Product Highlights
The Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light includes modes that dim periodically to create cloud effects overhead. It includes multiple modes – three fade cloud cover modes, two lunar light modes, two storm modes with lightning and cloud cover effects, and a dusk mode.
The Good
It is made up of super-bright 6500k White LED lights, and rich 445Nm Blue LED lights. It is also easy to install with its docking legs. This system also makes adding multiple fixtures a snap. And it features realistic effects that mimic real-world aquatic conditions using a single 32-key customizable remote.
The Bad
It does not come with a timer. You will need an external timer to place the light fixture on a timed on and off-cycle. When choosing to use the Ramp Timers, you can also program in a sunrise/sunset feature.
PROs
- It includes multiple modes.
- It is ideal for freshwater aquatics.
- It is easy to install, and no assembly required.
- It features realistic effects that mimic real-world aquatic conditions.
- It comes with a 30-day guarantee.
CONs
- The remote control needs batteries to be operated.
- It does not come with a timer.
MQ 24/7 Planted Plus Aquarium LED Light
How about a device that has multiple weather settings? The MQ 24/7 Planted Plus Aquarium LED Light can provide your tank with a natural feeling habitat.
Product Highlights
The MQ 24/7 Planted Plus Aquarium LED Light mimics the effect of sunrise, daylight, and sunset to provide your tank with a natural daily light cycle. It also includes multiple weather settings from cloudy, lightning, sunny, and moonlight.
The Good
It includes a total of 72 LED lights – 48 white LEDs and 24 RGB. The lights are adjustable, which makes it ideal for plant growth and creates a natural atmosphere for your fish and reef. It includes a remote control so you can activate weather modes and color modes.
The Bad
It does not include a glass canopy or cover panel. For first time users, programming the light will take practice. Some lights can still remain on when it should be completely off. Make sure to program the 24/7 option as instructed.
PROs
- It also includes multiple weather settings.
- It provides your tank with a natural daily light cycle.
- The legs are adjustable.
- It is easy to install.
CONs
- It can only fit tanks measuring 20 to 30-inches wide.
- It does not include a glass canopy or cover panel.
Things To Remember When Buying Aquarium Lights For Planted Tanks
Do you know which light is for your tank? It is important to understand the basics of tank lighting. To maximize plant growth and mimic natural daily lighting, you need the right device that is friendly to your plants and tank animals. Choosing the right one can be difficult. We have three things listed below that you need to consider when buying aquarium light.
- Waterproof Features – Lights aren’t keen on moisture and water, and not all devices are waterproof, but they do have features that help prevent water moisture from going into the bulbs and the system. Some devices have adjustable heights and covers that can protect it from splashes.
- Light Reach – The device should push enough light towards the farther ends of the tank. That is why measuring your tank and comparing it with the device’s width is important. It may provide enough light on top and in the middle, but it may not be able to push enough light towards the corners.
- Multiple Modes – Some devices come with interesting features, like the ability to adjust the color spectrum, dim the intensity, and imitate natural weather, sunrises, and sunsets seen in nature. If you’d like to provide a daily natural light cycle, it is ideal to find a system that has multiple modes and weather settings.
Conclusion
When looking for the best aquarium lights for planted tanks and you’re not sure about which one to choose, remember these three things that can help you decide on the right lighting fixture. Having the right lighting can improve plant growth, control algae, and improve the plant’s colors. At the end of the day, you need the right set of lights that will mimic the real thing. We’re excited to see your plants grow beautifully under amazing lights! Get more tips on aquarium setup.