Chloe Weaver
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Table of Contents
Without the proper accommodations, your fish may start to to feel like they’re living in a tiny prison. Give them a unique, and more comfortable existence through the use of LED lights; they often have features that make fish feel as though they’re back at home in the water.
Make sure you choose the right one for your tank, and the rest of your sea creatures.
Something to consider before you purchase your LED light is how many watts are appropriate for the kind of marine life you intend on growing. Make sure that you don’t end up getting a wattage that’s too high.
1. Current USA Orbit Marine Aquarium LED Light
Features
- Several different options for color and brightness
- Imitates the natural lighting of the ocean
- Built-in wave pump control
Unlike many of your ordinary aquarium LED lights, the Orbit LED creates a backdrop in your tank that allows you to see the vibrancy of your fish, the water, and your aquarium decorations. To give your fish an experience that is closer to their natural environment, this LED light also provides a “sunrise” and “sunset.” It also creates a slight rippling effect in the water, to recreate the feeling of ocean waves and changes in the weather.
Set the mood through any of the various model options including Vibrant, Powerful, Brilliant, Eye Popping, Efficient, and Radiant. The Vibrant and Powerful LED models are great for coral reef and aquatic vegetation, while the others work well for colorful fish.
The Orbit LED is easy to install and can fit inside tanks that are 18 to 24 inches in width. The pump control also makes a major difference in the authenticity of weather changes, giving coral the familiar ebb and flow for them to sway and grow stronger.
Overall, the Orbit LED is a high-quality product, other than the feet that help the light stand up. They will begin to rust after extended periods of time in the water, and if you have a saltwater tank this may turn into a major issue. Make sure you have another stand to compensate for this; the last thing you want is for the rust rot to affect your marine life or become so weak and unstable that it falls in the water.
2. Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus Light for Aquarium
Features
- Includes a 30-day money back guarantee
- Wireless remote for easier accessibility
- Comes in 3 different sizes
This Beautifully animated LED light provides realistic weather changes to your aquarium. With 6500 white LED lights offer lightning visuals, as well as timed dimmer for bedtime and a morning dawn to give your fish a normal day. There are also 3 different options for fading your lights, and two different lunar light modes.
The Current USA comes in 18 to 24 inches, 24 to 36 inches, and 36 to 48 inches. The wireless remote gives the Satellite LED a convenient touch, just kick back on your bed and enjoy the ambiance of your lighting options.
3. VIPARSPECTRA Timer Control Series LED Aquarium Light
Features
- Includes 2 mounting kits
- Dimmable lighting
- 3-year warranty
Fish aren’t the only ones who need help maintaining a normal Equilibrium, if you like to raise or grow coral reef collections then the Viparspectra LED lights is exactly what you’re looking for. Coral growers and aquatic gardeners have mentioned that their plants have become notably bigger in a short period of time.
The only real downside to this LED light is that it doesn’t have the sunrise and sunset effect that the others have. Since coral reef are a little less complex than fish and turtles, it may not bother them as much. However, the special effect is still optimal for most marine life. Even though it doesn’t have this option, it is dimmable.
Although it includes the mounting kits, they have to be mounted on the outside of the tank as the the Viparspectra is not a waterproof LED light. In addition to the 3-year warranty that comes with the purchase, the Viparspectra also has a 30 days satisfaction guarantee so you can test it out and decide if it’s what you’re really looking for.
4. Beamswork DA Series LED Pent Aquarium Light
Features
- Includes a 30-day money back guarantee
- Blacklight feature for nighttime
Changing out an LED light can be an annoying, and somewhat difficult to do if you aren’t familiar with your equipment. If you’re the kind of person who’d like to avoid the hassle of dealing with mechanics, you’ll be relieved to hear that the Beamswork LED lights will never require a bulb replacement! Program your timer to turn off and on automatically so you don’t have to stress about forgetting to do it while you’re working.
The Beamswork has also been noted many times for its ability to help coral and aquatic plants grow much more quickly than they would have with another LED lamp. The blacklight feature is an excellent tool for anyone who owns a glofish. Turn off the light and watch as the fluorescent colors from your fish seem to float through the darkness.
Not all aquarium lights come with a warranty, so it’s definitely a perk of purchasing this the Beamwork. However, parts and labor issues can only be returned after 90 days of use; so if it stops working after the 3 month mark, you may be out of luck in getting your money back.
The good news is that the Beamswork is well made, and there haven’t been any issues with the adapter overheating or any noisy electrical hum. It does come with mounting arms, but reviews suggest that they aren’t very useful, and many aquarium enthusiasts have had to find creative ways to get it to hang properly.
5. KOVAL Inc Aquarium Lighting
Features
- Lengthy power cord for convenience
- Full light spectrum of white, blue, green, pink, and red
- Great for those looking to grow algae
With a total lifespan of up to 50,000 hours, the Koval is efficient, low energy, and cost friendly in regard to your electricity bill. If you want to cut back on the light, pick the “blue only” mode for a dimming effect during the evening. This light has plenty of cord length for an easy setup and has an automatic timer if you forget to turn it off or adjust it during certain times of day.
The slim design of this model holds it in place quite well, and the feet are small, so they can fit in between tight spaces and gaps.
Some of those who have chosen to purchase the Koval have mentioned that a few of these models have arrived in good condition at first. However, there have been a few that ended up shorting after about 3 to 4 months of use.
Things to Think About
LED lights and light fixtures are usually pretty easy to adjust, so if you’re struggling to get yours mounted, don’t panic. Most pet and aquarium shops offer equipment to assist with this problem so that you won’t end up having to return it.
Keep in mind that incandescent lights are notorious for giving off added heat and generally cost quite a bit in energy as well. Your standard fluorescent light is most often used for saltwater fish tanks and they shine a little brighter without the added warmth.
Metal halide bulbs are definitely a choice selection for those with colorful coral reef and brightly colored fish.They’re stronger since they aren’t made with filament, and consume far less energy than any of the other option.
Water Resistant Doesn’t Mean Waterproof
Don’t make the tragic mistake of frying your fish, turtles, or coral because you misread or misunderstood a warning label. Many of the options for LED light above are water resistant, but they are not waterproof.
Water resistance simply means that if it gets splashed or a little wet, no harm will come to your LED light. However, do not submerge your light unless the instructions on the one you purchased instructs you to do so directly.
If you end up purchasing an LED that is submersible, it’s best to start off with an empty tank so that you can place the lights more easily. Just be careful, remember that you are handling electricity, and not following the directions can be a life or death situation for both you and your pets.
In situations where you feel uncertain about how to operate an LED, call the customer service hotline and ask for help!
It’s always a much better choice to be safe than sorry.
Also Read: 5 Best Aquarium Heaters