Poll The Great Planted Aquarium Light Poll

[Art]

One of the many benefits of our growing community is the ability to share and use our collective knowledge and experiences. Let's start to capture the lights that we are using so that future members can reach out if we have the same light they want to use.

Please select your light manufacturer (you can select more than one) and then make a post with your model numbers.

"Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest." Bonus points for who knows where that's from (don't Google or AI it ).

 

[Art]

I'm running the Netlea AT6 Pro light and started The Official Netlea Club thread.

 

[ElleDee]

I have the following running:
Finnex Planted+ ALC series (36" and 48"). I have the Planted+ clip on light and an old Stingray 1 in storage. Buying these lights made sense for me at the time (it was one of the earliest budget models with individually controlled red, blue, and green channels) and I'm still using them, but the lighting market has changed a lot in the last couple of years and they are outdated. I believe they quit making the ALC, which is a shame because it still has the best specs out of the entire product line.

Chihiros WRGB 2 (90 cm). Man, what an upgrade. Without CO2 it's more PAR than I need, and the color rendition is great. The app has worked well for me too. It's too expensive though, which is why I am running the 90 cm size on a 120 cm tank, with the 48" Finnex as an assist.

Week Aqua L series (90 cm). I haven't set it up yet, but it's sitting in my bedroom for when I get a free moment. This is my attempt at a cheaper replacement for the Chihiros for my 90 cm tank. I'm optimistic it'll be exactly what I need though.

 

[gnatster]

Chihiros WRGB 2 Pro (60 cm). Most likely more performance than I'll need for a shallow 60 cm aquarium. I was drawn to the high-tech features and the ability to adjust the spectrum and brightness on my devices.

 

[Count Krunk]

Hygger 18-24" fw light.

For $40 it can't be beat. Does amazing on shallow (20g or less) tanks.

 

[Koan]

Two Fluval 3.0 Nanos on the farm tank, one each on a bowl and QT.

MicMol! G3 Aqua Air, (formerly Aquamaxx, more details here):
two 12" on a 40C and a 60P, and a 48" on a 50g Metaframe



Super slim handsome chassis, WRGB w/ great power and full Bluetooth app control, $169 for 12" / $369 for 48"

And super sexy custom shades by this guy! Not listed on his store yet so reach out to him directly

 

[Uncle_R]

Fluval + Micmol

 

[Kwyet]

Currently in use:

68g Dutch tank, and the best light I own:
WEEK AQUA Pandora P Series P900 PRO

125g and 28g BiOrb:
WEEK AQUA T90 PRO APP RGB-UV 90W

19g High tech farm tank and 14g blackwater tank combined:
Current USA Serene Sun LE Pro LED

8g Shrimp Bowl:
Chihiros Magnetic Light 2

7g Middle Energy Shrimp Cube:
Chihiros CII RGB

60g Hillstream tank:
Aqueon LED OptiBright MAX
SANSI 120W LED Grow Light, Full Spectrum 4000K Daylight Plant Light

20g Low-tech farm tank:
Fluval Aquasky
Nicrew SkyLED

10g Moina tank with Anubias:
Aqueon LED Optibright Max

Note: Don’t buy more than 1 Aqueon LED Optibright Max. They interfere with each other, and won’t turn off as programmed. I have to use a Kasa Plug to do that.

 

[rzn7z7]

Fluval 3.0 + Chihiros WRGB 2 Pro

 

[techman81]

My first scape started with a Fluval 3.0 90cm. Couldn't find a good setting to bring out the red plants. I think it's way over priced for it's performance. Switched the the 90cn Chihiros WRGB 2 and WOW! I was a happy camper. The price is a bit painful though, so the light for the next tank, (just a 40 gallon farm tank) is a Week Aqua M900 Pro. Maybe not fair to compare the M against the WRGB 2 but the Chihiros is much better, including the app. Having said that, the M900 is not bad, especially if you want to save a good deal of money (and are willing to wait for the long shipping time) by purchasing through Aliexpress.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

I'm currently one of like 10 people in the USA who owns Skylight Hyperspot F (the latest gen hyperspots).
I have two Skylight Hyperspot FMs on my 150p 140gal tank, and one FL on my 90S 39gal tank:



These lights are incredible. Only available in EU/UK right now but worth the import if you can find them!
They are crazy powerful, they have focused chip-type LEDs with focusing lenses, so you get major light penetration -- without light leak.
Not only are the strong, good app, and aesthetic as hell, they are the only light that doesn't blind you. I chose these lights because both of these tanks are in gallery-like locations in my house, and I was tired of needing to shade my eyes or wear a hat to look at my tanks with chihiros lights (which are great lights, don't get me wrong!).

MJ Aquascaping, Pavol Kulanda, and Tomi at Green Aqua have all stated that these are some of the most natural lights, and the only lights that don't blind you.

I know it's a funny thing to keep mentioning, but seriously, it's amazing. You can stand right next to the lights on full power and they won't even bother your eyes, but the second you move directly underneath them they are the most blinding light you've ever seen. The recessed lens-focused chip LEDs are absolutely stellar. I cannot recommend them enough. I know the price is insane, but they're a buy-it-for-life gallery-quality piece of equipment.

Also, the bottoms are mirrors. Totally unnecessary and very very cool.

 

[anglers]

Chihiros WRGB 2 Pro (90 cm) switched from a fluval planted 2.0 that was too short for my tank. Over powered for my tank but very happy with the light.

 

[Bubble]

Nicrew SlimLED Plants 58-75cm, 16W
They have a low profile and are cost efficient. They also come with a timer ( 6-8-10 hours), 2 channels ( white-red;blue) and 6 channel dependent dimming steps making things easy to configure.

 

[Minninips]

I know it's a funny thing to keep mentioning, but seriously, it's amazing. You can stand right next to the lights on full power and they won't even bother your eyes, but the second you move directly underneath them they are the most blinding light you've ever seen. The recessed lens-focused chip LEDs are absolutely stellar. I cannot recommend them enough. I know the price is insane, but they're a buy-it-for-life gallery-quality piece of equipment.

Rocco, I've been heavily influenced by your tanks as I plan 2 and have been trying to justify the additional cost of the Hyperspot lights compared to other premium lights. One driving factor is I have a 2 year old, so the view from the tanks will be upwards for some time. From a ~3ft high view, is the blinding light you've mentioned visible if you're observing the tank? He does like to pretty much put his face on the glass and one tank I'm planning will be in an area he'll be able to view at his leisure.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Rocco, I've been heavily influenced by your tanks as I plan 2 and have been trying to justify the additional cost of the Hyperspot lights compared to other premium lights. One driving factor is I have a 2 year old, so the view from the tanks will be upwards for some time. From a ~3ft high view, is the blinding light you've mentioned visible if you're observing the tank? He does like to pretty much put his face on the glass and one tank I'm planning will be in an area he'll be able to view at his leisure.

I made this graphic to help!

Skylight Hyperspot, blinding or not?​

​

The answer is, it depens on your tank's thickness (depth from front-to-back) and how you have it mounted!

If your tank is deep enough front-to-back, it won't be an issue as long as it's mounted close enough.
You can see that even when adjusted quite high above the tank, hyperspots are still a massive improvement over other lights.

But if you can mount them close enough to the surface, your son won't be bothered by the light!

So if you have a skinny tank, skinnier in it's depth front-to-back than the hyperspot casts light, you will need to get it very close to the water surface.

The good news is, once you have it mounted, it's VERY easy to adjust the height of the lights via their hanging kit device.

 

[techman81]

I made this graphic to help!

Skylight Hyperspot, blinding or not?​

View attachment 11732​

The answer is, it depens on your tank's thickness (depth from front-to-back) and how you have it mounted!

If your tank is deep enough front-to-back, it won't be an issue as long as it's mounted close enough.
You can see that even when adjusted quite high above the tank, hyperspots are still a massive improvement over other lights.

But if you can mount them close enough to the surface, your son won't be bothered by the light!

So if you have a skinny tank, skinnier in it's depth front-to-back than the hyperspot casts light, you will need to get it very close to the water surface.

The good news is, once you have it mounted, it's VERY easy to adjust the height of the lights via their hanging kit device.

But the graphic doesn't take into account that you can get shades for many of the better lights near the top of that 99%.

Having said that, I absolutely agree, from everything I've seen and read, including photos of Rocco's tanks, the hyperspots are the way to go if you can afford them. I really wish I had one on the tank in my living room. Maybe one of these days, I'll splurge.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Yeah you could save a TON of money on equally powerful lights (like chihiros WRGBII Pro) by purchasing the shades separately.

 

[Koan]

save a TON of money on equally powerful lights by purchasing the shades separately

And if your favorite light doesn't happen to have a shade, my favorite Etsy shade designer will work up a custom set for you

 

[VJM]

Fzone Solo Nano and Chihiros CII RGB.

 

[Minninips]

I made this graphic to help!

Skylight Hyperspot, blinding or not?​

View attachment 11732​

The answer is, it depens on your tank's thickness (depth from front-to-back) and how you have it mounted!

If your tank is deep enough front-to-back, it won't be an issue as long as it's mounted close enough.
You can see that even when adjusted quite high above the tank, hyperspots are still a massive improvement over other lights.

But if you can mount them close enough to the surface, your son won't be bothered by the light!

So if you have a skinny tank, skinnier in it's depth front-to-back than the hyperspot casts light, you will need to get it very close to the water surface.

The good news is, once you have it mounted, it's VERY easy to adjust the height of the lights via their hanging kit device.

Rocco, you're a legend! I refer to you as my influencer to my wife! This is really helpful (but not for my wallet!).

The tanks I'm planning are an UNS 75p (75x45x45cm) and an ADA 120p (120x50x50cm). My thought was to go with the Hyperspot M on the 75P and that one I'm okay putting closer to the tank since that'll be in primary view for my son. I'll have a lid on the tank as well, but unsure that's a factor here. The 120p is still rough ideas floating around in my brain.

Yeah you could save a TON of money on equally powerful lights (like chihiros WRGBII Pro) by purchasing the shades separately.

75cm / 750mm is kind of right in-between a WRGB2 Pro 60 (600mm) and 80 (800mm) vs the Hyperspot FM is 625mm and Hyperspot FL is 902mm. I guess I'd be comparing the 60 to HFM, so $379 (with shade) to $679. Decisions.