Top 3 Fish Tank Filters
Best LED Aquarium Lights of 2020
- Best Overall LED Lights: Kessil A360WE
- Best Bargain LED Lights: BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light
- Best Saltwater LED Lights: Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light
- Best Freshwater LED Lights: Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Light
- Most Functional LED Lights: Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED
Why do I need LED Lighting for my fish tank?
Not only do LED lights add to the aesthetic of your aquarium, they also aid in the temperature and lighting control that are necessary for the survival of your fish and plant life. Plants must have a light source, as it allows them to maintain photosynthesis, and most fish species thrive in a light that mimics that of natural sunlight. In short, LED lighting allows your salt and/or freshwater aquarium to look and function at its best. The primary benefit of LED lighting, as compared to other types of lighting on the market, is its cost effectiveness. While it may cost slightly more upfront, LED lighting is significantly more energy efficient, using up to 80% less energy than other aquarium lighting. Saving you money on your monthly energy bill, LED lights generally make up the cost difference in their first year. It is also important to note that LED lights are designed to dissipate heat so that you never have to worry about your LED system overheating and creating a dangerous temperature for your aquarium life.
Factors To Consider
Ohfishal’s Top 10 Fish Tank LED Lights
Kessil A360WE LED Aquarium Light
The Kessil A360WE is designed primarily for freshwater planted aquariums, but its bright white color allows it to be a great option for saltwater tanks as well. The unique full spectrum design of the system creates an environment for optimum photosynthetic conditions for your plant life. Most users agree that the quality of the Kessil A360WE is well worth the price, as it is long-lasting and offers a wide range of control.
BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED Aquarium Light
Designed to sport a modern, sleek look, the BeamsWork DA FSPEC offers a long-lasting and efficient option for your freshwater tank. The system boasts both day and night modes, and you can purchase an optional timer module separately to even further customize the system. Depending on the size of your tank, this product comes in various sizes from 20” through 72” to meet your specific needs.
Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light
Show off your already beautiful saltwater fish, live rock, and coral in an even more spectacular way with the Current USA’s fully programmable Orbit Marine Aquarium LED light. With its easy installation process, you will take your tank to the next level in no time. The built-in lighting system creates a realistic biorhythmic lighting cycle meant to mimic natural sunlight and moonlight, and you can play around with the on-demand weather effects to create an even greater dynamic for your tank.
Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Light
This sleekly designed system is created for prime freshwater conditions. Going outside of the realm of typical white and blue lighting systems, it allows the user to create lighting that mimics real world aquatic conditions. Besides its multimodal functionality, this freshwater system is also built for easy installation.
Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED Light
This hands free, fully automated LED system’s 24/7 feature allows the user to create a realistic lighting experience that mimics a warm dawn to a cool moonlight and everything in between. The fixture is also fully equipped with a remote that allows the owner to create lighting that mimics weather patterns such as thunderstorms and cloudy days, as well as 4 memory slots in which to create various color patterns.
Chihiros RGB A Series LED Light
You can control this updated and newly released slim, stylish system from your smartphone. Designed to increase heat dissipation and eliminate water rust, this state-of-the-art system penetrates deep into your planted tank to promote optimal plant health.
Marineland Energy Efficient LED Strip Light
This strip lighting system is designed to create a realistic underwater environment in your at-home aquarium. Its adjustable legs are designed for flexibility in mounting to 18-24 inch tanks. This energy efficient, long-lasting system also boasts a daylight setting as well as a lunar mode.
Aqueon Optibright Plus LED Lighting System
While it comes programmed with 8 preset color options, the Aqueon Optibright Plus system provides endless customizable color options due to the individual control over white, red, and blue LED lights. This remote-controlled system is optimal for both fresh and saltwater tanks with low to medium light level plants.
AQUANEAT LED Aquarium Light Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light
This freshwater LED system works best in 18-24 inch tanks, and is not dependent on rim size or tank thickness. The AQUANET is designed for extreme brightness and energy efficiency. Be mindful that this system is not waterproof, so keep it away from splashing water.
Aqueon LED Aquarium Background Hood
This hood system is designed to fit tightly inside the rim of your tank, offering a full length door for easy feeding access. It comes with one white LED light, but it has an extra slot for additional LED lamps should you choose to add extra color.
Frequently Asked Questions about LED Aquarium Lights
The answer to this question depends on the type of system you purchase. Some mounting systems come with adjustable legs or adjustable brackets that fit onto the side or top of your tank, while others are waterproof and go into the water. Some systems slip into the tanks hood or even come built into a hood that fits inside the rim of your tank.
While each tank may slightly vary depending on the type of fish and plant life, the general rule of thumb is that a tank needs 12 hours of light per day. Too little light can cause your aquatic life to suffer, while too much light can promote the overgrowth of algae. Many of the lighting systems in ohfishal’s top ten list are programmable for optimal light, so that you do not have to think about when to turn your system on and off.
Various factors like construction and user maintenance can affect how long your LED lights last. However, most LED lights can be expected to last between 50,000 and 100,000 hours.
LED lights can make or break an at-home aquatic environment. In order to give your aquarium an optimal aesthetic quality, showing off the brilliance of all your fish and plant species, as well as to help it function at the highest level, you will surely want to invest in an LED lighting system for your tank. While this necessitates a monetary investment upfront, it will save you money in the long run through energy efficiency and marine life health. As you consider the needs of your tank and your budget, you will find the right system for you.
