NICREW ClassicLED Plus Aquarium Light

The NICREW ClassicLED Plus is a slim aluminum LED fixture for aquariums 30 to 36 inches long. This is the 21W model. It mixes 6500K white, 450nm blue, 660nm deep red and green LEDs, and NICREW rates its color rendering at CRI 91, so fish and plants look close to their natural colors. It’s suited to freshwater or saltwater fish tanks and to low to medium light plants.

The timer and lighting modes

A built-in timer sets on and off times and brightness. When the light switches on or off, it can ramp up and dim down over 15 or 30 minutes to imitate sunrise and sunset. That’s easier on fish than the sudden switch of a basic light, and it means you don’t need a separate outlet timer.

There are two lighting modes with different spectrum settings. Note that the spectrum only adjusts when you run the light on the timer. Turning it on manually gives you the standard output.

Fitting it to your tank

Adjustable docking mounts on both ends slide out to fit most rimless and framed tanks in the 30 to 36 inch range. The fixture itself is about 31.2 inches long. NICREW recommends using it over a glass or acrylic lid, so plan on a cover rather than leaving the light exposed above open water.

What plants it can grow

Low to medium light plants are the sweet spot. Anubias, java fern, crypts and Amazon swords do well under it, and stem plants grow at a moderate pace. Run it 6 to 8 hours a day to start, and adjust if you see algae building up.

Who should look elsewhere

High-light carpeting plants and CO2-injected planted tanks need more intensity than this light gives. Reef tanks with corals need a dedicated reef LED. If you want app control and full color adjustment for a planted tank, the Fluval Plant 3.0 is the bigger step up.