Best 24-Inch LED Lights for 15 to 20-Gallon Tall Aquariums

Updated: August 5, 2025 - By: - Categories: Light

Choosing the right lighting for a tall 15 to 20-gallon aquarium can be tricky. These tanks often have more vertical depth than standard layouts, which means light must penetrate farther to reach your plants and enhance your fish’s colors. A 24-inch LED light is the sweet spot for this tank size—long enough to evenly cover the surface while powerful enough to illuminate the bottom. In this guide, we’ll help you find the best 24-inch LED lights specifically designed for tall, small-to-medium aquariums that need both function and flair.

Best LED lights for 15 to 20-gallon tanks

Model Our rating PAR Ideal for Fixture sizes For tanks LEDs Modes Wattage
NICREW Classic LED G2 editor's ratingNICREW Classic LED G2 #ad 75 @ 12-inch depth fish, most types of plants extendable from 24 to 36 inches 20-gallon (standard/long), 29-gallon 90 white & 18 blue 8/10/12H timer 18 watts
Hygger Full Spectrum aquarium light editor's ratingHygger Full Spectrum aquarium light #ad – fish-only, most plant types 24-30 inches 20-29 Gal 56 White + 22 Blue + 8 Red + 6 Green + 23 RGB multi colors, 6/10/12H timer, 24/7 automatic timer 22 watts
NICREW SkyLED Plus editor's ratingNICREW SkyLED Plus #ad 97 @ 12-inch depth most plant types 24-30 inches 20-29 gallon planted tank 64 White + 12 Blue + 8 Red adjustable timer with sunrise/sunset 26 watts
Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC editor's ratingFinnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC #ad 97 @ 12-inch depth most plant types 24 inches (available from 12-48 inches) 20 gallon standard daylight, 660nm red, green, blue 24/7 timer controller, multi modes watts
Finnex FugeRay Planted+ editor's ratingFinnex FugeRay Planted+ #ad 121 @ 14-inch depth (48-inch fixture) high-demanding red plants 24 inches (available 12-48″) 20 gallon high demanding planted aquarium (88) 7000k + (48) 660nm RED + (8) Blue Day/moonlight 26 watts (true data from finnex.net)
AQQA LED Aquarium Light 24/7 editor's ratingAQQA LED Aquarium Light 24/7 #ad _ fish, most plant types 14.1 in 15-20 gallons, 16-24 inches (40~60 cm) 48 pcs 7 colors, 6H/10H/12H timer, 24/7 automatic cycle 18 watts
Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus editor's ratingCurrent USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus #ad 35+ @ 12-inch depth (measured under a 48-inch fixture) fish only tank 24-36 inches 20-gallon standard/long 48 White + 24 RGB custom colors, weather effects 18 watts
Current USA Satellite Plus PRO editor's ratingCurrent USA Satellite Plus PRO #ad 155 @ 12-inch depth medium-high light plants 24-36 inches 20-29 gallon 20 White, 5 red, 9 RGB 24-hour timer control, multi modes 35 watts
AquaIllumination AI Prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED editor's ratingAquaIllumination AI Prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LED #ad 100 @ 24-inch depth most types of corals maximum spread of 24 x 24″ 20-gallon reef tank, tall 17 LEDs, 7 color channels Bluetooth app control for light colors and schedule 60 watts

24-Inch Aquarium Lights reviews

NICREW Classic LED G2 aquarium light 24-36 inch

NICREW Classic LED G2editor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

To kick start our reviews, we will begin with the versatile and practical Nicrew Classic LED G2 aquarium light. The light is best suited for fish-only fresh /salt-water or planted freshwater tanks and when you want to add a shimmer to your tank.

Inline timer controllerInline timer controller #ad

The inline timer controller comes with some helpful features. It allows you to dim the blue and white channels separately. It also includes an easy-to-use timer that allows you to set the working time of the light to 8, 10, or 12 hours per day. The timer is simple but very helpful if you want to automatically turn the light on/off on time daily.

The design of the light is carefully thought out and executed. It has a sleek and thin shell with extendable metal brackets that easily fit on most 20-gallon aquariums both standard (24″ W x 12″ L x 16″ H) or long (30″ W x 12″ L x 12″ H), and powerful LEDs that will support most plants.

Hygger 24/7 LED aquarium light with inline timer

Hygger Full Spectrum aquarium lighteditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

This full-spectrum LED light is ideal for both fish and plants. It works well for most types of aquatic plants. Its inline controller includes so many wonderful features that are very helpful for aquarium uses.

Inline controllerInline controller #ad

It offers two timer modes – simple On/Off or 24/7 schedule. For the simple On/Off, the timer key lets you set the working time to 6/10/12 hours. For the 24/7 schedule, just pick a time near the current time and the light will change to that time.

24/7 lighting cycle24/7 lighting cycle #ad

The inline controller allows you to mix and match the brightness, colors, and timings. Use On-Off/M and Up/Down keys to custom your own color as your personal preference. The On-Off/M key lets you change the color and choose one of 7 different options. The Up/Down key shifts and changes brightness levels from 10-100%.

Made of an aluminum casing, the light is also very durable and long-lasting. The extendable bracket works best for tanks from 24 to 30 inches long. The light can last at least 50,000 hours and is suitable for long-term usage.

NICREW SkyLED Plus light, 24-30 inch planted tank light

NICREW SkyLED Pluseditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

The Nicrew SkyLED Plus brings professional-level lighting performance into an accessible, easy-to-use form. Its powerful LED array combines white (6500K), blue (450 nm), and red (660 nm) light to produce a balanced full spectrum, supporting lush plant growth and enhancing the colors of your fish. Whether you’re nurturing carpeting plants or displaying a vibrant community tank, this light brings out the best in your aquascape.

Timer controllerTimer controller #ad

One of its standout features is the controller, which allows full customization of lighting behavior. Users can program specific on/off times, control brightness levels for both day and moonlight modes, and enjoy smooth ramp-up and dim-down transitions that mimic natural light changes. The controller saves your schedule automatically, ensuring your aquarium maintains a consistent cycle every day.

Built with a durable aluminum shell, the fixture stays cool during operation and resists wear over time. Its adjustable mounting legs fit a wide range of tank sizes and allow quick installation. The SkyLED Plus proves that high-quality, programmable aquarium lighting doesn’t have to come at a premium price.

Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC – 24-inch aquarium light

Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALCeditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

This planted aquarium light comes with a remote that is packed with so many cool features. If you want your plants to feel like they are receiving natural sunlight, all you have to do is click on the 24/7 button and the light would automatically adjust its intensity as the day goes. Then, click on a time button near to your current time and the light will bright or dark as the time that you just clicked.

24/7 lighting cycle24/7 lighting cycle #ad

The Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC comes with white, red, green, and blue LED bulbs. The company designed this light to use more true 660nm red LEDs that effectively stimulate photosynthesis and boost plant growth. With the combination of different colors, the light gives your aquarium plants a more nature-like setting (i.e. full spectrum).

Another feature that I observed in this product is that you can play with different weather effects such as lightning to flash white light multiple times, cloudy day to dim the light a little bit, sunny day for the highest intensity, and moonlight to mimic the stars at night.

This aquarium light comes with four memory slots to save your customizations. You can actually customize your own lighting combinations and use them anytime you want with just a single click. With the remote, it is easy to increase /decrease a specific color, or set the unit to display just the color of your choice.

Finnex FugeRay Planted+ 24-inch LED aquarium light for plants

Finnex FugeRay Planted+editor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

If you have extremely high light-demanding plants in your aquarium, the Finnex FugeRay Planted+ is what you need to care for the plants. With (88) 7000K + (48) 660nm RED + (8) Blue LEDs and the PAR output of over 100 at 12-inch depth, the light meets all the lighting needs of a 20 gallon high demanding planted aquarium.

To keep the price low, the product doesn’t offer many features, boasting of only two lighting modes; day and night. But what it lacks in flexibility, it makes up for in quality.

Its aluminum shell acts as a heat sink ensures excellent heat dissipation with the light only getting warm to the touch. The shell is moisture resistant with splash guards for extra protection.

The Finnex FugeRay Planted+ gives you the best bang for your buck, balancing quality, price, and longevity. The lovely shell brings class and elegance to your aquarium. The extendable clear plastic legs blend in with the overall finish of the lighting for a minimalist appearance.

AQQA LED Aquarium Light 24/7

AQQA LED Aquarium Light 24/7editor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

24/7 Default mode24/7 Default mode #ad

Ideal for aquarists who want both automation and control, the AQQA 24/7 Clip-On LED features a versatile on-board controller that supports multiple lighting functions. Its 24/7 mode begins automatically at 6:00 a.m., gently transitioning through natural lighting phases until it powers off at 10:58 p.m. The controller manages these shifts seamlessly, without the need for daily input, offering a stress-free way to maintain consistent lighting cycles.

DIY modeDIY mode #ad

For users who prefer customization, the controller unlocks a DIY mode that lets you select from various white and RGB combinations, tweak brightness levels, and set a fixed lighting duration. This allows you to tailor the environment to plant types, fish species, or aesthetic preferences. All settings are accessed through the in-line controller—no Wi-Fi, app, or complicated setup required.

Its compact design allows it to be used on tanks of many sizes, whether as a primary light or supplemental fixture. With a flexible gooseneck and strong clip mount, it installs easily and securely. Even better, it retains your selected mode and settings after power interruptions, making it a reliable lighting option for any home aquarium.

Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus

Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Pluseditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

The Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED light is a budget-friendly lighting option perfect for fish-only aquariums. It has a mixture of 48 White + 24 RGB LEDs.

The excellent, sleek, and thin design with sliding docking legs is quite convenient and adds a modern feel to the aquarium. But, the most impressive feature has to be its multiple lighting modes.

Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED PlusCurrent USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus #ad

Even better, the lighting mimics real-world situations using additional lighting modes. Using the wired remote, you can choose from various modes, including three fade modes for cloud cover effect, two lunar modes, two storms with lightning effects, and a dusk mode for evening viewing.

Although the light does an exceptional job bringing out the vivid colors of your tank’s residents, it works best if you have tetras, livebearers, or cichlids in your tank.

This is an excellent option if you’re looking for an affordable light for a 20-gallon starter tank that is convenient and has plenty of cool features that make keeping an aquarium even cooler.

Current USA Satellite Plus PRO 24-36 inch for planted tanks

Current USA Satellite Plus PROeditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

The Current USA Satellite Plus Pro has several features that should get you excited. The light offers full automation, including a 24-hour timer. The timer has a unique ramp-up and ramp-down feature that resembles sunrise and sunset, which helps avoid stressing your fish from sudden lighting changes.

Remote controlRemote control #ad

If that’s not enough, the light comes with a handy remote, which you can use to adjust the levels of each of the LED colors (White and RGB) to the values you like. To save you the trouble of repeating the same adjustment, you can use two memory slots (M1 and M2) to save the colors. It also comes with dynamic preset modes including daylight, moonlight, cloud cover, storm and lighting, fading lunar,… that are ready to use with a single click.

The full spectrum provided by RGB diodes supplies aquarium plants with all their lighting needs. With a PAR of over 100 at 12-inch depth, it is perfect for most plants in home aquariums these days.

It spots a typical, flat and ultra-thin design with an aluminum shell for fast heat dissipation. With its extendable (24 – 36 inches) metallic legs, the light will fit on most 20-29 gallon tanks.

AI Prime 16 HD for 20 gallon reef tank

AquaIllumination AI Prime 16 HD Reef Aquarium LEDeditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

The AI Prime 16 HD is an excellent midrange coral lighting module that is both easy to use and highly efficient. Drawing a total of 60 watts at max output, AI has come a long way since traditional halogen lighting. The new AI Prime 16 HD is a well-built and compact lighting system that is easily scalable and very user-friendly as well!

The AI Prime 16 HD boasts closely packed LEDs which enables the output lighting to have a seemingly flawless blend. The inbuilt TIR lenses seem to do a great job of balancing both PAR output and spread.

Because its max spread is 24 by 24 inches, you will need 1 unit for a 24-inch reef and 2 units for a 30-inch reef tank. With a peak park value of 100µMol at 24 inches, the light works well for most types of corals in a 20-29 gallon reef tank, which is commonly 12-18 inches deep.

The compact unit features a dedicated built-in 17-LED system with 7 individually controllable color channels. All the channels are fully customizable either via a kelvin wheel or a percentage bar in a mobile application called ‘myAI’ from the manufacturer. The ‘myAI’ app conveniently controls all the features that revolve around the AI Prime 16HD. It allows for manual and preset modes with a ready-to-use mode for acclimation.

Precision engineering on all parts of the device makes the device look flawless when compared to cheaper models in the market. This particular revision changed access to the fan, making regular maintenance easy. The only drawback of this product is that it doesn’t include anything for hanging or mounting itself and you have to buy hanging kits separately.

More options for reef tank lighting: https://portlandaquarium.net/led-light-for-reef-tank/

With years of hands-on experience and a deep love for aquatic life, we’re passionate fish keepers dedicated to helping others thrive in the hobby. Our mission is to make fishkeeping accessible, enjoyable, and successful for everyone—from curious beginners to seasoned aquarists. By sharing practical tips, honest advice, and hard-earned lessons, we hope to inspire more people to discover the joy of building and caring for a thriving underwater world.

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