Aquarium Lighting 101: How to Choose The Best Light for Your Aquarium

Hello Everyone,
In this video we talk about why it's important to choose the right aquarium light and four lights, at different price points, that might work well for you!

Here are the links for the lights:

Here are the product review videos we did on each of the lights featured in this video:

For the latest in the fish room check us out on Instagram primetime_aquatics

Thanks for watching!

[shawngrignon]

I have been using LED strips around the perimeter of my tank under the plastic lip for about 2 years now. They're not super bright so probably not great for heavily planted tanks, but having a bunch of color options and patterns makes the tank look really great! It's also great not having anything on top of the tank. And for only $20 for the strip, it was a good value compared to some of the more expensive "official" aquarium lights.
Thanks for your tips!

[mmnelson]

I really appreciate the options under $100 for new fish keepers. Working in a LFS, it’s difficult to justify expensive lights to someone just getting started. They are usually more focused on the fish they want to keep, so the first goal is to help them enjoy and be successful with what they can afford.

[jamesburton]

I have 2 beams work lights, a 12" and a 24". Both seem to be growing the plants well. The full spectrum works better that the all white led one tank came with. And I love the price. Have a blessed day.

[EC-voif]

Beamswork 1:42
Finnex Stingray 2 3:29
Fluval 3.0 5:15
Kessil A160WE 6:39

[lisahunt]

Phenomenal review! Thank you for helping me on my lighting quest with my tank! As someone new to taking my tanks seriously, this has helped greatly into narrowing down what I was looking for with my planted tank. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain, and to post BOTH where to find each light mentioned and the review! :)

[doctorwigglespank]

I set up a 20 gallon tall and looked at the Beamswork lights, but went with a Nicrew full spectrum & dimmer, as they were pretty similar in price. It's still going strong a bit over a year later.
I've been thinking about setting up a 20 long and the Beamswork lights are very tempting. Glad to see that you've had no problems with them.

[anthonyromano]

Built in timer is a huge factor in making your decision IMO. If not adding a cheap timer is a game changer! I’ve had Beamsworks lights last 7+ years, great value.

[brianthedisabledaquarist]

I use a Current USA freshwater plus light that i am very pleased with. It was cheaper than the Finnex or Fluval and the quality, look as well as functionality was a huge selling factor for me with the Current USA light.

[phreakerbythespeaker]

You're video review about the stingray 2 convinced me to invest in 3 for my tanks. I don't regret anything. Thanks for your expertise! My fish love it...they told me. 😉

[stevenretroworkshop]

I built my DIY LED strip light with LED dimmer. It work great on my fish tanks with a light dimmer control. 🐠🐠🐠

[michaelmathes]

Great job as usual. I use h.o 5 in the back and the Fluval 3.0 in the front. I have been in the hobby since 1973 and watching your videos keeps me well informed and learning new tricks.

[medwardbell]

I love the adjustable abilities on my Fluval

[dailodai]

just bought a beamwork 48' full spectrum. $46 very happy with the look of it. highly recommended

[Doggysoft]

Thank you. First time buyer of LED lights here (Fluval Aquasky) and genuinely amazed at the difference. So much better than fluorescent lights and just being able to alter the lighting via an app is almost mindblowing for me. What have I been doing for the last ten years?!

[ChMEDAKAHAMA]

I have never seen such wonderful tropical fish and aquatic plants in Japan👍🇯🇵😆😊

[usafirst]

Great info for a new fish keeper. Thanks a bunch!

[hugheymorrow]

For deeper tanks that are planted, 24" or more, Kessil is great. In addition to adjustable spectrum, intensity, and sunrise to sunset to moon phase program-ability, they also have the depth of penetration required, good PAR values at the bottom of the tank even when suspended 10-12 inches above the top of the tank. I just got the A360x tuna suns and they are so quiet! huge improvement from the 160s.

[joshszooofanimals]

Great video like always 😊👍🏻 I use a stingray light lol

[TerryLestrange]

What i want to test is use more blue light on blue fish. To see if they pop out differently/better.

[anthonypautin]

I have a couple of the stringray 2s I wish they came in black. 😁