Best 24-30 inch LED lights for 20-29 gallon tanks (fish/planted/reef)

Updated: January 19, 2022 - By: - Categories: Equipment

If you have a 20-gallon (high/long) or a 29-gallon tank with a 24-30 inch length and you’re struggling to find a good LED light, you’re in the right place. This article reviews different options of LED lights for different use purposes including planted, fish only, and marine reef.

Best LED lights for 20-29 gallon tanks

Model Our rating PAR Ideal for Fixture sizes For tanks LEDs Modes Wattage
NICREW ClassicLED G2 editor's ratingNICREW ClassicLED G2 #ad 75 @ 12-inch depth fish, most types of plants 24-36 inches 20 (high/long) /29 Gal 90 white & 18 blue Day/night, inline 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, on/off timer, 24/7 timer 22 watts
Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus editor's ratingCurrent USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus #ad 35+ @ 12-inch depth (under 48″ fixture) fish-only, low light plants 24-36 inches 20-29 Gal 48 White + 24 RGB custom colors, weather effects 18 watts
COODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting editor's ratingCOODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting #ad fish, low light plants 19-28 inches 20-gallon standard White + RGB countless colors with the remote 12 watts
NICREW SkyLED Plus editor's ratingNICREW SkyLED Plus #ad 97 @ 12-inch depth most plant types 24-30 inches 20-29 gallon 64 White + 12 Blue + 8 Red Day/night 26 watts
Finnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC editor's ratingFinnex Planted+ 24/7 ALC #ad 97 @ 12-inch depth most plant types 24 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 20-gallon standard (88) 7000k + (48) 660nm RED + (8) Blue Day/moonlight 26 watts (true data from finnex.net)
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 Gal 20 white, 5 red, 9 RGB 24-hour timer control, multi modes 35 watts
BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED editor's ratingBeamsWork DA FSPEC LED #ad 96 @ 12-inch depth (24-inch fixture) medium-high light plants 30 inches 20 long/ 29 Gal 51 10000K, 16 Actinic, 7 Red, 6 Green Day/night 80 x 0.5W = 40 watts total
NICREW HyperReef 50 editor's ratingNICREW HyperReef 50 #ad 128 @ 24-inch most types of corals maximum spread of 24″ x 24″ 20/29 gallon reef tank 24 LEDs from 405 nm (UV) to 660 nm (Deep Red) blue and white channels, adjustable 50 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″ 20/29 gallon reef tank 17 LEDs, 7 color channel Bluetooth app control for light colors and schedule 59 watts

24-30 inch aquarium lights reviews

NICREW Classic LED G2 aquarium light 24-36 inch

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

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.

Current USA Satellite Freshwater LED Plus

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.

COODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting 19-28 inch for fish tanks

The COODIA Aquarium Hood Lighting LED is quite a mouthful. It offers an extensive range of lighting features and modes and is perfect for fish-only tanks with several low-light plants.

This product features durable RGB LEDs with a lifespan of 10,000 hours. With the help of a remote that comes with color-coded buttons, you can play around with up to 16 different lighting colors for your tank.

2.4G remote control2.4G remote control #ad

The dimmable feature (which also has a dedicated button on the remote) is another welcome feature. The note-worthy remote features 2.4G technology for extra convenience and even allows you to adjust the lighting from an adjacent room.

Extendable brackets open up the light to a world of mounting options depending on your tank’s location and actual size. It allows the range from 19-28 inches that means it’s perfectly fit onto a 20-gallon aquarium with the standard dimensions of 24″ W x 12″ L x 16″ H. Other sizes are also available for choice.

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

If you have a planted aquarium, the most important thing you need is a high PAR output LED light that benefits to growing plants. Sometimes, that means digging deep into your pockets to buy an expensive light. However, the NICREW SkyLED Plus aquarium light offers all you need with a very affordable price tag.

NICREW SkyLED Pluseditor's ratingCheck on Amazon #ad

Its 6500K white, 450Nm blue, and 660Nm red LEDs provide the right light spectrum for an extensive range of aquarium plants to grow.

Using the switch on the power cord, you can select between day and night modes and adjust the intensity of the lighting for maximum visual appeal and benefit to your plants.

The structure aluminum housing on the light looks classy and is the perfect design to maximize heat dissipation.

It’s perfect when you’re looking for an LED light that works for both growing plants and fitting on a 20-29 gallon tank. With extendable legs, setting up the light in various aquariums and positions shouldn’t take you more than a couple of minutes.

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

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

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.

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

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.

BeamsWork DA FSPEC 30-inch LED aquarium light

The BeamsWork DA FSPEC LED is perfect when you’re looking for more light on a tight budget. It puts out 4,000 lumens at 40 watts total. With a 96 PAR rating at 12 inches depth, it’s suitable for medium-high light plants in a 20 gallon long or a 29-gallon planted tank.

It’s not just a powerful light. It’s also well designed. It employs 51 total LEDs of 10,000K, 16 blue 460Nm, seven red 620Nm, and six green 520Nm ones to ensure vigorous plant growth and vivid colors inside the aquarium.

The light comes timer ready (the timer is sold separately) with an option of choosing from one of two modes, day or night. The extendable plastic brackets will work with various aquariums but are best suited for a 30-inch planted tank.

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

Nicrew HyperReef 50 aquarium reef light

Reef keepers need a light that will cater to the coral’s needs, which is vital to the health and balance of the tank. The Nicrew HyperReef is an excellent option, especially when you want to avoid spending a small fortune on lighting.

The light is designed for various needs of reef tanks and offers a PAR rating of 128 at 24 inches depth to match most types of corals. It has all the essential features which include a favorable spectrum (with blue, red, green, violet, and UV) for optimal coral growth and superb coloration and shimmer.

NICREW HyperReef 50NICREW HyperReef 50 #ad

It is designed for simple uses at a very affordable price tag. It simply features three touch buttons (W, M, and B) on the front for you to independently adjust its two color channels. You can also use the buttons to adjust the light intensity and spectrum.

The light comes with a tank mount that you can use on rimmed and rimless tanks for mounting. You can also hang the light but the hanging kit is sold separately. For automatic control, the Nicrew single-channel timer pro #ad (sold separately) is compatible with this model.

AI Prime 16 HD for 20/29 gallon reef tank

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/

Bottom lines

Lighting is a crucial factor in every aquarium. Whether you’re looking for vibrant, vivid colors with a shimmer effect, robust and lush green plant growth, or a healthy color-filled reef, it all goes down to lighting.

For beginners, a small and manageable tank is the best place to start. The most preferred is a 20 or 29-gallon tank. Should you decide to go down the tried and proven path and opt for a fish tank, you will find that any of these lights will be perfect when used for the right application.

We enjoy keeping fish, and have for many years. We are trying to promote the hobby as much as possible. We want to see many others succeed in their fish keeping efforts and are committed to sharing our knowledge when we can.

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