Aquarium LED lighting is a game-changer when it comes to illuminating and enhancing the beauty of underwater ecosystems.
Not only do these lights create a visually stunning display, but they also contribute to the overall health and vitality of aquatic organisms.
However, with so many options available, choosing the right LED lighting system can be overwhelming.
To simplify your decision-making process, I have thoroughly researched and reviewed the top-rated aquarium LED lighting systems for aquariums 18-24 inches long.
So, let’s dive in and discover the best aquarium LED lighting options that will transform your underwater world into a stunning visual masterpiece.
What should you consider when choosing your lighting?
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hobbyist, understanding the key considerations when selecting lighting for your freshwater planted aquarium is essential to create an optimal environment for your aquatic flora.
If you need more information about aquarium lighting have a look here.
Tank Size and Type
The size and type of your aquarium will play a crucial role in determining the appropriate LED lighting system.
Different tanks, such as freshwater or saltwater, planted or non-planted, have varying lighting requirements.
Consider the dimensions and specific needs of your tank before making a choice.
Light Intensity and Spectrum
Adequate light intensity is essential for the health and growth of your aquatic plants and corals.
Look for LED lighting systems that offer adjustable brightness levels and a wide spectrum of colors to simulate natural lighting conditions.
Energy Efficiency
LED lights are known for their energy efficiency, which helps reduce electricity costs and environmental impact.
Look for lighting systems with high lumens per watt (lm/W) ratings and energy-saving features like timers and dimmers.
Durability and Longevity
Aquarium environments can be harsh, with high humidity and exposure to water.
Choose LED lighting fixtures that are waterproof or water-resistant, and made from durable materials to withstand the moisture and potential splashes.
User-Friendly Features
Consider LED lighting systems that offer user-friendly features such as programmable timers, remote control operation, and easy installation.
These features enhance convenience and allow for customization of lighting settings.
Budget
Set a budget range for your aquarium lighting and look for options that provide the best value for your investment.
While it’s tempting to go for cheaper alternatives, prioritize quality and performance to ensure the long-term success of your aquarium.
5 Best aquarium led lighting for fish tank 18-24 inch
The following short list contains the most popular LED lighting for fish tank 18-24 inch.
Hygger 18W 24/7 Lighting Aquarium LED Light
hygger 18W 24/7 Lighting Aquarium LED Light, Sunrise-Daylight-Moonlight Mode and DIY Mode, Adjustable Timer Adjustable Brightness Fish Tank Light with Extendable Bracket 7 Colors for Planted Tank
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One of the standout features of this light is its 24/7 Natural Mode. The default setting mimics the natural daylight cycle, providing a seamless transition from sunrise to daylight to moonlight.
The gradual changes in color temperature and intensity create a visually appealing and dynamic environment for aquarium.
The option to set the local time and customize the lighting schedule allows for a personalized experience that suits the needs of both the aquatic plants and the fish.
The DIY Mode is another aspect that I appreciate. It offers the flexibility to program the lighting time, brightness, and color.
The adjustable timer allows to set the lighting duration to 6, 10, or 12 hours, depending on preferences and the requirements of your aquarium.
The advantage of this mode is the ability to adjust the light intensity. However, it doesn’t provide the aesthetic appeal of the changing light spectrums like the 24/7 mode.
The only drawback in 24/7 mode is that the intensity of the light cannot be adjusted. When it reaches full daylight, the brightness is quite intense, which might be overwhelming for low-light plants.
The aquarium LED light controller is user-friendly and intuitive. The timer key, ON-OFF/M key, and up/down key make it easy to navigate and make adjustments. The controller’s compact size and sleek design also add to its appeal.
The quality of the light itself is exceptional. The high-quality light beads ensure a wide light surface and vibrant colors, enhancing the appearance of aquarium.
At maximum intensity, the light is incredibly bright. It offers a full spectrum of light with the option to switch to a single spectrum or color if desired.
The waterproof feature adds convenience and peace of mind, as it is easy to clean and can withstand the occasional exposure to water vapor without any negative effects.
SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light for Plants-Full Spectrum 18-24 Inch
SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light for Plants-Full Spectrum Fish Tank Light with Timer Auto On/Off, 18-24 Inch, Adjustable Brightness, White Blue Red Green Pink LEDs with Extendable Brackets for Freshwater
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The SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light for Plants is a high-quality lighting solution for fish tanks that brings out the vibrant colors of aquatic plants and enhances the overall clarity of the water.
With its versatile features and user-friendly design, this light offers a great viewing experience for aquarium enthusiasts.
One notable feature of this aquarium light is its dual-channel control, allowing you to adjust the white and blue lighting independently.
However, it’s worth mentioning that if you want to switch to using only the blue light, you’ll need to turn off the white light first.
While this may seem a bit inconvenient, it does provide flexibility in customizing the lighting according to your preferences.
In the DIY mode, you have three timer options (6 hours, 10 hours, and 12 hours) to schedule the lighting duration.
Additionally, there are multiple color modes available, including white, red, green, pink, and blue, giving you the ability to create different lighting effects in your aquarium.
The light intensity is adjustable from 10% to 100%, allowing you to dim or brighten the light as needed.
The built-in dimmer is a handy feature, especially if you encounter issues with overly bright lighting.
The full spectrum illumination provided by this fish tank light simulates natural light, promoting the healthy growth and development of aquatic plants.
This makes it an ideal choice for freshwater fish and low to medium light level aquarium plants (Java Moss, Java ferns, banana plants, anubias, hornwort, and anachari).
One standout feature of this aquarium light is its power-off memory function. With the built-in IC memorizer, the light retains its settings even after a power outage or when turned off.
This eliminates the need to reconfigure the light every time it restarts, ensuring a hassle-free experience.
The SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light features high-quality LED chips that are arranged in five columns, providing both compactness and visually stunning lighting.
With a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) rating of up to 89, this light accurately reproduces the natural colors of fish and aquatic plants, delivering an immersive and authentic viewing experience.
Another advantage of this aquarium light is its IP54 waterproof rating, ensuring durability and easy maintenance. The light can be easily cleaned with a dry towel, thanks to its clear cover and exceptional light transmittance.
However, it’s important to note that the light should not be immersed in water, and it should not be used in moisture-prone environments.
The SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light comes with an extendable metal bracket, making it suitable for a variety of tank sizes.
It can be used independently or in conjunction with most glass canopies or light hoods, providing flexibility to adapt to your specific needs.
NICREW SkyLED Plus Aquarium Plant Light, Freshwater Fish Tank Light with Ramp Up and Dim Down
NICREW SkyLED Plus Aquarium Plant Light, Freshwater Fish Tank Light with Ramp Up and Dim Down, Spectrum Adjustable and Lighting Schedule Programmable with Controller, 18-24 Inches, 18 Watts
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The NICREW SkyLED Plus Aquarium Plant Light is a highly impressive lighting solution for planted tanks.
With its excellent spectrum of super bright 6500K white LEDs, combined with 450nm blue and 660nm red LEDs, it provides full spectrum lighting that maximizes the photosynthesis of plants.
The light is easy to use, thanks to the upgraded wired controller with an LCD screen, which allows for flexible programming of Day and Night cycles.
One standout feature is the nature-centered design of the SkyLED Plus 2.0.
It offers various options to adjust the auto On/Off time and brightness, including 6 ramp-up and dim-down options to simulate natural sunrise and sunset.
This ensures a gentle transition for the fish and promotes a healthy sleep cycle. The light also features adjustable docking legs, making it easy to customize the installation for tanks ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
Another notable advantage of the NICREW SkyLED Plus is its fully sealed fixture with water-resistant functionality. This feature provides peace of mind when it comes to daily splashes and humidity intrusion, ensuring the longevity of the light.
Some users found the light to be too bright for certain fish species, although it offers the option to tone down the intensity.
Additionally, there were a few complaints about the dimming function using pulse-width modulation (PWM), which can be bothersome to some users, especially when viewing the tank for extended periods.
It is worth noting that PWM is a common issue with many lights on the market.
AQQA Aquarium Light,Full Spectrum LED Fish Tank Lights
AQUANEAT Aquarium Filter Sponge Open Cell Foam Sheet Bio Sponge Filter Media Pad HMF Fish Tank Sump Divider 11″ x 10.25″ x 2″/ 23″ x 12.25″ x 2″ (11″ Lx 10.25″ W x 2″ H, Black)
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The AQQA Aquarium Light is a 17W classic lighting solution designed for fish tanks ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
With its 48 high-quality LEDs and a combination of white, blue, red, and green lights, this aquarium light provides a full spectrum of lighting options to enhance the beauty of your aquatic environment.
One of the standout features of this aquarium light is its three color light modes, which can be easily controlled through the independent controller.
The modes include pure white light, a combination of white, blue, red, and green lights arranged in two rows, and a combination of lights in four rows. Users can cycle through the modes by pressing the switch, allowing for versatile lighting options.
It’s important to note that this light does not have a fixed mode, but the cycling feature ensures a dynamic and visually appealing experience.
The AQQA Aquarium Light utilizes 5730 high-brightness lamp beads, providing high color rendering, clarity, and transparency. This results in bright and vibrant colors that make your fish tank more visually appealing.
The light is designed to penetrate directly to the bottom of the tank, enhancing transparency and creating a more natural and captivating underwater environment.
The adjustable and extendable bracket is another commendable aspect of this aquarium light.
With four rows of lamp beads and a widened panel, the bracket offers stability, efficient heat dissipation, and a secure fit for most fish tanks.
It is constructed with 3.5mm diameter stainless steel, ensuring durability and longevity.
One of the key advantages of the AQQA Aquarium Light is its suitability for freshwater plants.
The full spectrum of light promotes comprehensive photosynthesis and color development in aquatic plants, aiding their growth and providing an enjoyable viewing experience.
The light also enhances the overall beauty of the fish and aquatic plants, making them appear more vibrant and natural.
While the AQQA Aquarium Light has received positive feedback, there are a few drawbacks worth mentioning.
Some users have noted the absence of a dimmer function, meaning the light remains consistently bright regardless of the selected mode. This could be inconvenient for those who prefer adjustable lighting intensities.
Another issue raised by users is the placement of the power button. It is located near the plug, which may be inconvenient for users with baseboard outlets or limited accessibility.
Additionally, some users have experienced difficulties with the timer function not functioning properly, requiring manual scheduling of the light.
NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 Aquarium Light
NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 Aquarium Light, Dimmable LED Fish Tank Light with 2-Channel Control, White and Blue LEDs, High Output, Size 18 to 24 Inch, 15 Watts
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The ClassicLED Gen 2 came as a breath of fresh air. With its super bright 6500K White LEDs and optimized spectrum 460nm Blue LEDs, it offers a higher level of luminous efficiency and brightness compared to its predecessor.
The adjustment options for both brightness and color temperature are fantastic. You can easily lower the blue lights for a warmer look or use high blues and low whites for a cool, even appearance.
One of the standout features of this light is the built-in 8/10/12-hour timer and 15-minute ramp up/dim down functionality.
Setting the timer is a breeze, and the gradual lighting increase when turning on and decrease when turning off provides a natural feel, avoiding startling the fish.
The light is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fish-only setups, as well as low-high light level aquarium plants.
Its length of 16.1 inches (without the bracket) makes it ideal for aquariums ranging from 18 to 24 inches.
The moonlight mode, which resembles moonlight and creates a peaceful ambiance, is a delightful addition to the aquarium. It adds a nice touch, particularly for glow fish enthusiasts.
While the majority of users have had a positive experience with this product, there are a couple of issues worth mentioning.
The timer functions a bit complicated to operate, as they had to set the timer at a specific time to achieve the desired end time.
Additionally, there have been a few reports of the blue lights failing after a relatively short period of use, which is disappointing.
Despite these drawbacks, the overall feedback on the NICREW ClassicLED Gen 2 Aquarium Light is overwhelmingly positive.
The brightness, color options, timer functionality, and fish-friendly gradual lighting changes have delighted many aquarium enthusiasts.
Combining it with other NICREW LED lights, such as the ClassicLED Plus Planted Aquarium Light, can create stunning effects and bring out the colors of plants and fish.
In conclusion
Selecting the right LED lighting for my aquarium is a pivotal decision that can significantly impact the health and growth of my freshwater plants.
In this article, I have reviewed the six best aquarium LED lighting options available in 2023.
By considering factors such as light intensity, spectrum, energy efficiency, durability, and ease of use, I have highlighted some exceptional choices for creating an optimal lighting environment for my aquatic flora.
With the right LED lighting choice, you can create a captivating underwater landscape, promote healthy plant growth, and showcase the beauty of your freshwater planted aquarium.
Take the time to research and evaluate your options, and soon you’ll enjoy a stunning aquatic haven that will delight both you and your underwater inhabitants.
