This review delves into the Nicrew RGB+W aquarium light, a versatile and affordable lighting solution for home aquariums. We examine its performance across key areas, including brightness, color options, ease of use, and build quality. From its initial unboxing to extended testing of its various features, we provide a comprehensive assessment of the Nicrew RGB+W's capabilities and limitations. This review will help you determine if this light is the right choice for your aquarium setup.The Nicrew RGB+W boasts an impressive array of features, including 78 LEDs (60 white and 18 RGB), a user-friendly infrared remote, and a secondary controller for precise timer programming. We explore the effectiveness of its various lighting modes, from the vibrant RGB options to the realistically simulated natural light cycles. Our assessment covers both the strengths and weaknesses of this popular aquarium light, providing a balanced perspective to aid in your purchasing decision.
Read more: Top 5 NICREW Aquarium Lights
Unboxing and Initial Impressions
The Nicrew RGB+W aquarium light arrived well-packaged. The box contained the light itself, an infrared remote controller, and a secondary controller for timer settings. The 24-30 inch model I tested is rated at 21 watts and boasts a total of 78 LEDs: 60 white (6500K) and 18 RGB. The build quality appeared solid and the light is impressively bright, even at lower settings.
Brightness and Color Options
The Nicrew light is exceptionally bright, even at its lowest setting, capable of illuminating even larger tanks effectively. The color options are extensive. Beyond the basic red, green, blue, and white, the remote provides various preset modes (M1-M4), a nighttime mode, a sunshine mode, an overcast mode, and a surprisingly realistic thunderstorm mode. This variety allows for considerable customization to match the needs of your aquarium inhabitants and your aesthetic preferences.
Controller Functionality and Limitations
The infrared remote is effective, though it requires precise alignment with the light's receiver for optimal functionality. One minor inconvenience is the necessity for direct line-of-sight with the receiver on the light. The secondary controller allows for timer programming with multiple phases (sunrise, daylight, sunset, moonlight, off), each customizable in terms of color and duration, which is useful for simulating natural light cycles. However, saving custom color settings was somewhat unreliable during my testing.
Color Mixing and Overall Performance
While the light offers a wide range of colors, color mixing isn't perfectly uniform across all combinations. Some colors blend seamlessly, while others exhibit less predictable results. The light provides enough brightness and color customization to meet the needs of most aquariums. However, the less-than-ideal color mixing might be a minor drawback for users seeking precise color control.
The build quality is good, and the light seems durable. Installation was straightforward. The various modes and the ability to adjust the timing of the light transitions makes this a versatile option for many aquariums.
Final Verdict
The Nicrew RGB+W aquarium light offers excellent brightness and a wide variety of color options, including various preset modes and customizable timer phases. Its versatility and relative affordability make it a compelling choice for many aquarists. While some minor issues with color mixing and remote control sensitivity exist, they don't significantly detract from the overall positive experience. For the price point and features, the Nicrew RGB+W is a great value, providing a robust lighting solution for your aquarium.
If you are looking for a bright, versatile aquarium light with timer functions and a wide range of color options, the Nicrew RGB+W is a strong contender. Its ease of use and many features make it a solid choice for home aquarists.