NICREW Clip-On Planted Aquarium Light

The NICREW Clip-on Planted Aquarium Light (model N20531) is made for planted tanks from 2.5 to 5 gallons. It clamps to framed or frameless glass up to 5/8 inch thick and shows plants, shrimp and fish in natural colors.

Day and night modes

Daylight mode uses white, blue and red LEDs together. Nightlight mode switches to blue only, which gives a soft evening look without fully darkening the tank.

Independent dimming

The blue and white LEDs each dim from 0% to 100%, separately. That is more control than most clip lights at this size. You can, for example, keep white moderate for low-light plants and add blue just for color.

Gentle ramps

The light ramps up and down over 15 minutes instead of snapping on and off. Fish and shrimp get a moment to adjust, which reduces startled darting when the tank wakes up.

Plants that fit

• Anubias nana and java fern on wood or rock
• Cryptocoryne and small swords in the substrate
• Mosses, buce and floating plants

Fast stem plants and carpets may want more light, but most low-tech nano scapes do well under this kind of fixture.

Setting up

Clip it to the back or side glass and angle the head so light covers the whole footprint. Use an outlet timer if you want a fixed day length, and start with 6 to 7 hours while plants settle in. Pair it with a nutrient source such as Seachem Flourish Tabs for rooted plants.

Bigger tanks

For a 10 gallon or larger tank, a full-length bar like NICREW’s ClassicLED Plus spreads light more evenly than a single clip head.

Because the white channel can drop to a low setting, this light also works on a shrimp-only tank where you mostly want moss and biofilm to grow slowly. If algae spots appear on the front glass, shorten the day before reducing brightness.