1. Open tank or a tank with a lid
Choosing a light starts with how the aquarium is built. On an open tank the light is usually clipped to the rim or suspended above the tank. In a tank with a lid the light sits inside the cover, where a tube or LED module is replaced. These are two different kinds of product, so first decide which one you need.
Second, the tank length and the rim glass thickness matter. For rim-mounted lights the manufacturer gives a limit for tank length and glass thickness, for cover modules the length of the tube or cover. Measure the tank or the old tube before choosing and compare the result with the manufacturer's data.
How much light plants need and how long the light stays on each day is covered in the separate guide on aquarium light for plants. This guide deals only with choosing, controlling and mounting the light.
2. Lights for an open tank
According to the manufacturer the Twinstar Light 30B III is designed for an easy planted tank and suits aquariums up to 36 cm long with glass up to 10 mm thick. According to the manufacturer it draws 11 W and produces 820 lm. The Twinstar Light 60B III is from the same B-Line III series and suits aquariums up to 70 cm long, drawing 29 W and producing 2300 lm.
Both have an in-line dimmer on the cable with seven brightness levels, a timer for 6, 8 or 10 hours and an on/off button. The sunrise and sunset function switches the light on and off slowly over 10 minutes. This way you can control the light without an extra device.
According to the manufacturer the Twinstar Light V 600EA (E-Line V) suits aquariums 60–70 cm long with glass up to 8 mm thick. It draws 50 W and produces 3000 lm, and a Twinstar Bluetooth controller comes with it. Check the glass thickness of your tank before choosing, because for a rim-mounted light it matters as much as the length.
3. LED modules for a tank with a lid
According to the manufacturer the Twinstar Light Waterproof (G-Line) is an IP67 waterproof LED light for aquariums with a lid. Its spectrum is made up only of six types of coloured LEDs, with no white LEDs. The light fits existing T5 mounts, or a wire mount on tanks without T5 fittings.
Twinstar gives its own examples: the manufacturer recommends the 100G (780 mm, mounting range 789–1110 mm, 32 W) for the Juwel Rio 180 and Vision 180, and the 120G (930 mm, range 939–1260 mm, 42 W) for the Juwel Rio 240, Rio 350 and Vision 260. For any other tank, measure the distance between the mounts and compare it with the mounting range.
The AquaEL Leddy Tube Sunny D&N 17 W is a complete LED module that needs no separate power supply. According to the manufacturer it draws 17 W, gives 1520 lm and has a colour temperature of 7000 K; the tube is 920 mm long and with its fittings suits a cover or lamp of 1047–1180 mm. The DAY, DAYBREAK and NIGHT modes give daylight, reduced morning light and blue night light; for any other cover, measure the old tube and compare its length with the manufacturer's data.
4. Controlling the light with an app
Twinstar LightControl is a Bluetooth controller run from a smartphone with the Twinstar LightControl app. According to the manufacturer it works with many Twinstar LED lights, including older models and lights with an in-line dimmer on the cable.
The controller has a 24-hour programmable timer, a 25-day Light Planner that raises brightness gradually, sunrise and sunset of up to 60 minutes and brightness control in 100 steps. The Light Planner helps when starting a new tank and you want to raise brightness slowly.
With a light that has an in-line dimmer, follow the manufacturer's instructions: set the dimmer to full power and bypass its timer so that all three indicator LEDs are on. Then set the schedule and brightness in the app.
5. Night light and mounting
The AquaEL Moonlight LED is a small round night light that imitates natural moonlight and suits both freshwater and marine aquariums. According to the manufacturer the module has four blue LEDs drawing 1 W in total; the light is fully water-tight (IPX8) and runs on 5 V.
The light can be fitted under or above the water. It mounts with a strong suction cup or a magnetic hanger, so it can go on the glass, the cover or other aquarium equipment. Choose a spot where the cable leaves the cover or rim safely.
For the main light, check the mounting method before buying. For a rim-mounted light, look at the glass thickness and whether the brackets fit; for pendant mounting, check that the hanging kit suits the light model and length. For any mounting parts, always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Overview of the lights according to the manufacturers
| Light | Mounting | Manufacturer data |
|---|---|---|
| Twinstar Light 30B III | Open tank rim | Tank up to 36 cm, glass up to 10 mm, 11 W, 820 lm |
| Twinstar Light 60B III | Open tank rim | Tank up to 70 cm, 29 W, 2300 lm |
| Twinstar Light V 600EA | Open tank rim | Tank 60–70 cm, glass up to 8 mm, 50 W, 3000 lm |
| Twinstar Light Waterproof (G) | T5 or wire mount in a cover | IP67; 100G 32 W, 120G 42 W |
| AquaEL Leddy Tube Sunny D&N 17 W | Cover or lamp | 17 W, 1520 lm, 7000 K, cover 1047–1180 mm |
| AquaEL Moonlight LED | Suction cup or magnet | 1 W, IPX8, 5 V |
Checklist
- Decide whether the tank is open or has a lid.
- Measure the tank length and the rim glass thickness.
- For a cover, measure the old tube or the distance between the mounts.
- Compare the measurements with the manufacturer's data.
- Choose between the in-line dimmer and control with an app.
- Check the mounting method: rim, T5 mount, wire or pendant.
- Add a night light if you want one.
