Best Aquarium Lighting for Fish Color

What are the requirements for maintaining a proper fish tank? Many people’s mistakes about healthy water, good looking fish & the right amount of appropriate food are all about keeping a quality marine aquarium environment.

Remember this! Your beloved aquarium setup needs a proper aquarium lighting setup to create balance in the whole aquarium ecosystem. Lighting is probably the last item a person thinks of when purchasing an aquarium.

Why’d your aquarium needed lighting? What’s the benefit from it? Well, a matched lighting with the aquarium makes the fish tank colors more vibrant & a center of attraction. Even some fishes show vivid colors & pop in the tank. Who doesn’t enjoy watching glowing-colored fishes playing in the aquarium? It would not be wise to enjoy the view.

Foremost, selecting the wrong lighting setup can cost your whole aquarium setup looks terrible. Easy to install, brightness level, number of LED Bulbs, color, versatility & price are the considerations to look for before buying.

A good lighting setup can make your aquarium truly shining & makes it an excellent home décor. This article will feature all the necessary information of these top 10 best aquarium lighting for fish color, buying guide before purchasing & overall rating based on my years of experience & research. Let’s drive to find out more!

Our Top Picks

All-Around Best Led Aquarium Lighting: Nicrew ClassicLED Plus Planted Aquarium Light

“Enjoy beautifully illuminated aquarium interiors with perfect brightness & long-lasting.”

Best Led Aquarium Lighting With Timer: Hygger Auto On-Off Led Aquarium Light

“24 hours auto on-off lighting cycle with timer for best views all day long.”

Best Led Aquarium Lighting With Adjustable Fixture: Number-One Aquarium Bubble Light

“11 amazing multi-color changing LEDs create amazing effect & features adjustable fitting.”

Best Planted Aquarium Light: Covoart Led Aquarium Light

“Ultrabright lights give a better view of the fishes & plants with a beautiful full-spectrum RGB lighting colorful landscape mode”

Best Multi-Color Led Aquarium Lighting: Coodia Aquarium Hood Lighting For Aquarium

“Multiple colors & Different levels of brightness for a beautiful view with beneficial plant growth.”

Best Led Aquarium Lighting With Wireless Controller: S Smiful Led Aquarium Light

“Aquarium never feels boring because of four different lighting modes & 16 different colors with a wireless controller.”

Best Submersible Led Aquarium Lighting: Topbry Aquarium Bubble Led Lights Rgbw

“Round shaped waterproof remote controlled Aquarium light for creating bubbles & different color-changing effects. ”

Best Led Aquarium Lighting For Freshwater Aquariums: Hygger Full Spectrum Aquarium Light

“Ultrabright fish tank light with three different color modes, ideal for freshwater tanks.”

Best Led Aquarium Lighting For Plant Growth: Nicrew ClassicLED Aquarium Light

“Simply white & Blue light for uniquely beautifying the freshwater tanks & promoting healthy growth for plants.”

Best Clip-On Aquarium Light: Ectenx Led Aquarium Light

“Super bright & energy-efficient LEDs with adjustable soft neck gooseneck clamp for easy fitting.”

1. ECtENX LED Aquarium Light (Clip-on Fish Tank Lighting Color with White & Blue)

An energy-efficient, super-bright LED that features two colored LED lighting that is white & blue. This aquarium clip light is excellent for night viewing & long-lasting than regular LEDs. Bright light illumination ensures healthy growth & a better environment for fishes and other inhabitants.

This classic aquarium clip light is super-bright & enhances colors in corals & fishes. It also produces fantastic shimmer effects in the aquarium. Eighteen white & Six blue LEDs signify the plants grow better & maintain a vibrant color.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Finish Type Fit Rim Color	· 6.4 x 2.9 x 2.2 inches · 6.74 Ounces · Polished · 0.39 inches · 24 led

Key Features

Two modes of lightning – blue & white lights for daytime, blue lights for nighttime.
Adjustable & rotatable to 360 degrees for better illumination from any corner.
Only 1.5W of low power consumption.
Energy-saving up to 40% & longer lasting than regular LEDs.
Promotes vitamin D3 & calcium absorption for coral.
One year warranty available.

Pros	Cons
Sturdy build quality with environment-friendly build material. Easy to install. One light covers a 5-20 gallon fish tank. Super bright LEDs with energy-saving features. Soft arms for easily adjusting to any angels or positions.	The Wall plug is bigger than average. Light flickers sometimes.

2. COODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting for Aquarium/Fish Tank (Color Changing Remote Controlled Dimmable RGBW LED)

This is an excellent addition to an aquarium & suitable for both seawater & freshwater. What this lighting setup gives is multiple lighting modes & various colors. This classic aquarium light comes with a 2.4G color changing remote controller that offers color changing, dimming & control from a long distance too.

This plug & play lighting setup comes with an extendable bracket to adjust the length so that it can become a perfect fit for your aquarium. 7000K white color temperature mode creates bright light for excellent viewing. Despite high brightness & RGBW LED, the Coodia lighting setup is energy efficient, with 10000+ hours of lifespan & comes with a professional-grade dedicated power supply.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Fit Tank size Color	· 13.7 x 4.6 x 2.5 inches · 1.3 Pounds · Aluminum · 19 – 28 inches · 16 kind of colors

Key Features

Fits various sizes of tanks because of extendable brackets.
High-quality RBD Leds with 10000+ hours of lifespan.
Aluminum build quality ensures better hit dispersion. LEDs will remain cool even after prolonged use.
2.4G remote technology for long-distance remote color changing.
Multiple color LEDs give the aquarium fish tank a beautiful & pleasant look.
20V 0.5A separated power supply for the safety of tanks.

Pros	Cons
RGB Multiple colors are available. The remote controller works without pointing at the receiver. 7000K white color temp for growing the plants. LED lights are dimmable. Easy installation with plug & play setup. Brackets are expandable.	Time changeable color management not available. Single color at a time.

3. TOPBRY Aquarium Bubble LED Lights RGBW (Remote Controlled Air Stone Disk, with 16 Color Changing)

Aquarium Bubble LED Lights RGBWby Topbry is a round disc-shaped air bubble lighting setup that can remain steady at the bottom of the tank. This LED light has 16 color changing effects & 11 LED RGBW lights. This lighting setup is IPX8 rated water-resistant & an excellent design for underwater works, as a result, suitable for fish tanks, aquatic spaces & aquariums.

This classic LED lighting setup is easy to form & has built-in air bubble stone. Air bubbles improve gas exchange & oxygenation. With remote control features & 7 levels of adjustable brightness, your fishes in the aquarium will undoubtedly look more beautiful than ever.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	· 4 inches diameter, 0.78 inches thickness · 15.2 ounces · Plastic & Aluminum · Black · 1.5W

Key Features

Four types of lighting modes & 16 color changing effects.
Fully waterproof IPX8 water-resistant up to 1 meter.
Built-in air bubble stones for connecting with the air pump.
Low working voltage for stable & continuous lighting effects.
Seven levels of adjustable brightness.
Topbry designed Remote Control for changing lighting effects quickly.

Pros	Cons
Sturdy & durable build quality. Adjustable brightness for proper lighting. Sealed design for submerging underwater. Round disk shape for easy installation. Air tube included.	Remote malfunctions sometimes. Long-distance remote control laggy.

4. COVOART LED Aquarium Light (Fish Tank Light RGB Color Underwater Light Submersible Crystal Glass Lights)

An underwater submersible aquarium light that gives ultra-brightness & 35% brighter light than other traditional ones. With a superb sealed design, this lighting setup makes the fish tank a colorful landscape with its full spectrum RGB LEDs. Multiple colors with different lighting modes show vivid colors of fishes & aquatic plants.

This classic LED aquarium light offers an IP68 certified waterproof rating. As a result, it can submerge in the underwater aquarium, fish tank & pool with the support of two strong suction cups. This light can remember the settings previously used via IR sensor to the remote controller with a memory profile.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	· 15 x 1.5 x 1 inches · 9.6 ounces · Explosion Proof Glass · White · DC 12V

Key Features

Four various light modes with 16 solid colors.
Long lifespan of min 50,000 hours.
Ip68 Certified Waterproof design.
Low working voltage for safety purposes.
SMD 5050 LEDs give very bright lights.
Two strong suction cups for underwater stability.

Pros	Cons
Sturdy build quality with low heat production. The glass is clear & thick. Support from the company is responsive & helpful. SMD 5050 chip saves energy & long lasting. Settings remain saved with multiple color modes.	Not ultra super bright. Single led doesn’t cover high quantity water tanks.

5. Hygger Full Spectrum Aquarium Light (Aluminum Alloy Shell Extendable Brackets, White Blue Red LEDs, External Controller, for Freshwater Fish Tank)

An aquarium Light made of large 5730 LEDs makes the aquarium water super-bright & sparkly clean. With different color modes & easy remote control, this soft light gives your aquarium a beautiful look & supports plant growth.

With adjustable & extendable mounting brackets, this light is easily fittable at different positions & angles on most aquarium tanks. There have also, three different color modes shiftable with the remote controller easily for different beautiful views. Adjustable brightness levels & different light time cycle settings make this aquarium light a perfect fit for freshwater tanks.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power Kelvin	· 16.2 x 3.2 x 2.4 inches · 1.38 Pounds · Metal & Plastic · Black · DC 12V · 6500K

Key Features

Idle for 18 inches to 24 inches fish tanks.
Two plastic & 2 metal mounting brackets for perfect fitting.
Three shiftable Light color modes(Blue, White & Red).
Each color lighting mode has five levels of adjustable brightness.
Aluminum alloy metal shell for easy heat dissipation.
Energy-saving 5703 led beds for prolonging the lifespan of up to 20000 hours.

Pros	Cons
Sturdy & water-resistant build quality. Natural light simulating for plant growth. Easy installation on most of the acrylic fish tanks. Compact remote controller for easy control. Memory function for setting timer cycle.	Not suitable for saltwater tanks. Turning off the lights stops the timer settings.

6. NICREW ClassicLED Aquarium Light (Fish Tank Light with Extendable Brackets, White and Blue LEDs)

A classic aquarium LED thatcreates mesmerizing lighting effects to aquascape, thanks to its classic design. This light is extremely well designed & energy efficient. Two different lighting modes, blue & white, provide adequate lighting effects for both day & night. This starter LED is good value for money & the perfect choice for freshwater aquariums.

This classic light comes with adjustable metal brackets to perfectly fit 30 – 36 inches aquarium tanks. With low voltage & energy-efficient LEDs, this one is absolutely safe to operate for 8-10 hours (recommended). Recommended lighting setup for use is over the glass cover or panel of the aquarium.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	28 x 1.4 x 4.1 inches 2.5 Pounds Plastic Black 18 watts

Key Features

Bright & energy-efficient LEDs with low voltage output for safety.
Blue lighting mode for the night & White lighting mode for daytime use.
Compatible with NICREW Single-channel timer pro & simulates sunrise & sunset.
Ideal for low-medium light level plants.
Excellent water penetration ability.
Improved power button for better control.

Pros	Cons
Adequate brightness for plant growth. A better alternative than fluorescent lights. Color spectrum & intensity improvement. Flexible fit for different sizes of aquariums. Safe & battery efficient LED lights.	Only water-resistant. Bracket design needs improvement.

7. NICREW CLASSICLED PLUS PLANTED AQUARIUM LIGHT (FULL SPECTRUM LED FISH TANK LIGHT FOR FRESHWATER PLANTS)

This aquarium lightis built in from an aluminum alloy shell & an upgraded version of the ClassicLED. This light illuminates blue moon glows for nighttime & green, red LEDs for enhanced colors. This basic & inexpensive light is ideal for freshwater/saltwater & medium to high-level plants with two different color modes.

This classicLED plus lighting setup is made of aluminum for more durability & a stylish look. Additionally, this led illuminates 6500K kelvin that is bright & energy efficient too. With adjustable mounting brackets, easily fittable at any corner of the fish tank of any length. Another advantage of this light is four-color modes that enhance plant growth on both freshwater & saltwater aquariums.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	53 x 5.4 x 2 inches 4.41 Pounds Aluminum Black 32 watts

Key Features

25% brighter light illumination than ClassicLED of this model.
Full-spectrum with two different lighting modes.
Lightweight aluminum shell for easy heat dissipation.
Adjustable docking mounts for all kinds of fish tanks length up to 54 inches.
Energy-efficient LEDs with the right brightness level.
Suitable for both freshwater & saltwater aquariums.

Pros	Cons
Durable & sturdy built quality. Upgraded LED chip for better illumination. Easy to install & hassle-free simple design. Adjustable docking mounts & legs for perfect fitting. Cost-efficient good value LED light.	Timer not available. RGB & light customization not included.

8. S SMIFUL LED Aquarium Light (Fish Tank Light Waterproof RGB Color Changing Remote Control Underwater Submersible LED Lights)

An R.B.G. aquarium light that is excellent for almost all kinds of tanks like aquariums, reptile tanks, ponds, pet cages, turtle tanks, and whatnot. With a variety of RGB colors, your tank will shine gorgeously & this light illuminates colors based on the mood. This lighting setup’s brightness will definitely catch the home’s attraction & pop out your fishes moving around or swimming beautifully.

This LED light bar is IP68 waterproof rated & easily submergible under the tank water to brilliantly illuminating lighting effects. With four different color modes & 16 colors, this led unit is the perfect choice for aquarium lovers. The 5050 LED chips model of this lighting setup is 20% brighter than regular chip & energy saver in the long term.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	15 x 1.5 x 1 inches 2.4 Ounces A.B.S. Plastic, Acrylic glass 15″ – Colorful D.C. 12V

Key Features

21 RGB Led lights with wireless controller.
Dimness & color changing speed adjustable.
Four different color modes & 16 colors in total.
Safety with explosion-protected Acrylic Glass.
IP68 waterproof rating with attached suction cups for easy installation underwater.
5050 LED chip that is energy saver, long-term performance & 20% brighter.

Pros	Cons
Comes in 5 different sizes. 16 different color effects. Two suction cups are included for underwater placement. Adjustable speed & dimness for LEDs. WaterProof with the IP68 rating.	Not super bright for covering big tanks. THE Remote I.R. sensor works closely.

9. Number-one Aquarium Bubble Light (LED Fish Tank Bubbler Light, Remote Controlled Aquariums Air Stone Disk Lamp with 16 Color Changing)

An LED fish tank bubbler light that is controlled by a remote and gives beautiful underwater lighting effects. With round disk shapes, this aquarium bubble light can stay steady at the bottom of the fish tanks & creates microbubbles that enhance your aquarium’s beauty. With different colors & changeable lighting modes, this light makes your aquarium display & fishes more beautiful than ever.

Because of IP68 certified rating & made of circular sand, this bubble lighting is safe & easy to use for everyone. The lamp body is submersible in the water & functions properly for fish tanks, aquariums, etc. When connected to an air pump, it creates air bubbles for better oxygenation & gas exchange that is beneficial for aquatic life.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	6.3 x 4.84 x 2.76 inches 14.4 ounces Circular Sand Black 4.5W

Key Features

Four lighting modes with 16 color changing effects.
Round disk shape for steady staying underwater & producing bubbles.
Made with environment-friendly materials to keep the fishes safe & sound.
Remote controller with 24 key functions for exact color-changing effects.
Low voltage for energy saving & prolong life.
WaterProof with IP68 certified rating.

Pros	Cons
Air bubble increases airflow underwater. MultiFunction remote controller. Sixteen colors and four lighting modes. High quality build for prolonged life. Disk shape produces more bubbles than others.	The build quality of the remote controller is average. Air leaks out if the pump connection is loose.

10. Hygger Auto On-Off LED Aquarium Light (Extendable Dimmable 7 Colors Full Spectrum Light Fixture for Freshwater Planted Tank Build)

This aquarium light by Hygger is an excellent addition to your aquarium. With a 24 hours auto cycle of lighting effects, this lighting setup creates the optimal condition for aquarium plants & fishes. With six single-colored LEDs & 10 levels of dimmable option, this aquarium light creates a beautiful effect on the fish tanks & blends easily all day long without disturbing the fish.

The integrated control panel is programmable & has a memory function. It saves customized color combinations & lighting for daytime or nighttime. Made of aluminum shell & IP68 water-resistant rating makes this aquarium light protected from accidental water drop damage & safe from heat dissipation. With a low voltage power supply, it’s an energy saver & on the safe side of fishes.

Specifications

Specs	Value
Dimensions LxWxH Item Weight Build Material Color Power	27 x 4.3 x 2.2 inches 2.59 pounds Aluminum Black DC 15V

Key Features

Twenty-four hours light cycle settings for simulating day & night.
Sunset & Sunrise feature with slow & continuous ramp-up of lighting effects.
Programmable full spectrum moonlight color.
IP68 water-resistant certified rating.
Ideal for both freshwater & planted tanks.
Low voltage for safety & energy saving D.C. adapter.

Pros	Cons
Six single colors led with a customizable option. Both manual & remote controller options. Adjustable mounting legs. 24-hour life cycle programmable lighting. 10 level of brightness dimming option.	Comes with a poorly translated owner manual. Changing the 12 hours lighting cycle is tricky.

Buying Guide of Best Aquarium lighting for fish color

We are saying that buying guide is actually what you have to look at first before purchasing aquarium lighting. There are some common mistakes new users make & that is overlooking the factors before buying. So let’s check our first the most significant ones –

Aquarium’s Size –

One of the overlooked sectors is aquarium size. Aquariums dimension measurement is an essential factor before selecting the lighting setup.

Length – The led fixture size is related to aquariums length, especially for more giant tanks. Finding perfect lengthy light for giant tanks is quite troublesome.
Width – this is not much necessary; still, 24″ size is ideal for most aquariums.
Height – Height is sometimes counted as depth in the aquarium sector. Newer models of LEDs are mostly waterproof, so choosing according to the center is a fact.
Build quality –

Most LEDs out there in the market probably use a minimum 20000 to 50000+ lifespan rating. Considering the led lifespan is the headache, but side equipment & moveable parts, build quality should be on par with LEDs. Aluminum & Plastic are the most common durable materials.

Different of P.A.R., P.A.S. & PUR –

Some vital Infos regarding photosynthesis, as those terms are light fundamental basic knowledge.

P.A.R. stands for Photosynthetic Active Radiation. Lights between 400 – 700 nanometers are considered P.A.R. & ideal for aquarium plants & corals growth.
P.A.S. stands for Photosynthetic Action Spectrum. Related to photons active the Chlorophyll B & A perfectly.
PUR stands for Photosynthetic Usable Radiation. It means healthier plants that are needed for corals. The quality of light per application is PUR.

What fishes in the aquarium –

The whole lighting setup is focused based on what kind of fishes are living in your fish tanks. LEDs bring out the best color from your living fishes in day & night. So choose wisely if you have tetra fish or betta fish. Those might require soft lights instead of RGB lights.

Adjustability & Features –

A properly adjusted lighting setup makes the aquarium look cool & beautiful. Before installing sLED Light, it’s wise to check the adjustability first & then take the right actions. Additional features like color changing, dimming, controlling different modes from your smartphone would be great. So it’s better to check out those features first, although it’s not essential.

Beam light of Lenses & Shadowing –

Nowadays, newer versions of LEDs are coming out with some advanced features like concentrating lenses. What it does is going deeper than regular LEDs, an excellent water penetration. However, it offers less color mixing. This feature is quite pricy and not the best part to look for.

Price Tag –

Price is another essential factor for aquarium lights. LEDs are especially a little pricier than regular lighting setups because of features, lower heat & durability. Still, LEDs are worth the price because it decorates the aquariums like a fairyland.

There are many choices of lights you can buy from. So, those features should be taken into consideration before purchasing aquarium lights.

F.A.Q

Is LED light good for fish tanks?

Ans – LEDs are not only suitable for fish tanks but also good for both fishes & plants. With the advancement of technology, some LEDs feature emitting sunlike rays for natural plant growth.

What are the benefits of LED aquarium lighting?

Ans – Severals benefits LED lighting offers including –

LED lights are more cost-efficient than fluorescent lights & cost a lot less electricity in the long run.
LED lights have a prolonged lifespan that is much greater than incandescent lighting.
LEDs are environment-friendly lights that produce almost no toxic or natural gas even after long-term usage.
Do LED lights hurt fish eyes?

Ans – It depends! A very bright LED light might hurt or make fishes unease in the tank water. Or sometimes that might not be the case because fishes live under the sun in the wild. From that perspective, LEDs don’t hurt fish eyes. Still, it’s wise to take precautions like hiding spots from light for fishes and adjusting the LED’s brightness to a smooth feel.

How is Blue Light for Aquarium?

Ans – Blue lighting for aquariums is quite useful for fishes, especially for nocturnal genres. As blue light mimics sky color at night in the wild, that is right for fishes to explore & communicate with each other. Also, watching fishes popping out of the aquarium because of blue light is quite good (at night).

Conclusions

Choosing the best one is not easy, whether it’s a flying jet or aquarium light. Now, if we talk a little more about the best Aquarium lighting for fish color, what can I expect?

I hope you are now an allrounder in choosing the best lighting setup for your aquarium. You got in-depth knowledge about the ten best aquarium lights & factors to consider before purchasing & whatnot.

Among those ten best aquariums lights, my top picks are – Ectenx Led Aquarium Light and Hygger Auto On-Off Led Aquarium Light. These two features everything you need in a standard aquarium lighting setup & offers useful features against price.

To wrap up, Good luck with your aquarium light purchasing. I hope you got the perfect one for your aquarium from here for purchasing. As an aquarium lover, I want to say lighting doubles the enjoyment of keeping fishes with utmost care.