Reddit reviews Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED, Controller, 48 Inch

Found this on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Automated-Aquarium-Controller/dp/B00U0HMX1C

I'd get a single 48" simply because it's 1 power cable instead of 2.

If you're already looking at the Finnex Planted+, you should consider about the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 for its built-in timer and color modes (sunrise, sunset, moonlight, etc).

If I had the need and the wherewithal, Mr. Banks... this would be my light fixture of choice.

looks fine to me. i tend to move towards less species in higher numbers as i think it's a better display, but there's nothing wrong with your stocking. only a few things i'll say on it; first, make sure you use a sand substrate, kuhli loaches like to burrow and dig, meaning they can hurt themselves if you use sharper material. second, i might advise against the dwarf gourami as a centerpiece fish, they are poorly bred and prone to disease. many people have had success with them, but there's always a chance that it'll get hole-in-head or something else out of your control. perhaps the pearl gourami instead? it's larger, but is much healthier and in my opinion prettier.

> filter

use Aqadvisor's filter tool, it's fairly accurate and can be used as a standard/minimum

> lighting

i'm not sure how well you'll grow plants with the one you linked. the one i would suggest is the Planted+ 24/7. it's about twice as expensive from the manufacturer as the one you linked, but it's really the best light available that fits all of your requirements. i'd suggest looking on craigslist or ebay for anything with "finnex" in it. i got a 24/7 and the Ray 2 for a significant discount on craigslist, people are selling these things pretty regularly for much less than what they cost. you might even end up getting one for the same price as the one you listed, as people selling aquariums will often part them out if you ask, and the one i linked is fairly popular.

> a beginners carpeting plant; one that doesn't require a super amount of light, one that's pretty hardy, and one that carpets quickly.

unfortunately no such thing exists. the reason carpets require so much light is because they're at the bottom of the tank, and when the light reaches it it's mostly diffused. you'd likely be able to grow a carpet with the Finnex at a slow/medium pace, but if you opt for a more low-tech route, i'd suggest Cryptocoryne Parva. it's a little bit of a stretch to call this a "carpet plant", but it does the job. like any other crypt, this grows slowly but will do fine in low/medium light, similar to java fern. it will take awhile, but you'll eventually have most of your ground covered with crypt if you go this route

> fish food

i use New Life Spectrum and frozen foods, and Hikari is also of very high quality. variety is the best policy, read up on the dietary needs of your fish and feed them accordingly. it's not a good idea to feed your fish solely with live, frozen, or dried foods. the optimal diet will probably look something like a regular feeding of high quality dried pellets with occasional live foods (like brine shrimp or something) and veggies, if the fish eats them.

to go back to the stocking for a second, if it were my tank, i would stock it more like this, but it is very important to note that it's not my tank and you may stock it as you like. i also gravitate towards tanks with specimens from a specific region, in this case southeast asia

EDIT: i forgot to address this,

> I wanted to make sure none of the fish in my potential stocking have a tendency to jump out of the water

all fish have the tendency to jump out of the water, but especially gourami and danio. using a top is the way to go

I think you'll probably want 2 of these. I'm not confident 1 would be strong enough for hair grass.

Also, you'll be wanting some pressurized co2 to get nice healthy compact growth at a speed that will cover the substrate in a few months.

You're looking at spending another few hundred dollars before you can achieve what you want.


I suggest you head over to /r/plantedtank and ask them for a bit more input. I've never really had much success with hairgrass.


In terms of achieving the aquascape you've linked, I'd suggest you watch a few of Amano's videos on youtube. Take note of how, and how many rocks he uses.

Awesome. Thanks for such a comprehensive response. I like the idea of the 6500k bulbs from Amazon, but do you think it is worth spending a bit more and getting something automated like this?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0HMX1C/?tag=aqualedlight-20

Are the lights built into the tank cover or are they separate pieces? And why do you want to go to an LED? Aesthetics? Plants?

IF you found a screw-in type bulb as /u/orangeisthebestcolor found, you're going to be stuck with one light, one intensity, one color, on or off. There's no moonlight or sunset with a light like that, only high noon and pitch black midnight.

For the features you are wanting, a light like the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 is what would work best. It's not inexpensive, but it does a pretty ok job of providing a 24 hour light cycle. You can search for a glass top to replace the hood that you're removing, they're really inexpensive - I think I paid around $50 for my 24"x48" glass tops.

For reference it hasn't been this cheap on Amazon.

Finnex Planted+ 24/7 on Amazon preorder.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U0HMX1C/

Here is the mobile version of your link

I've actually put my 4 Female bettas in the tank today, tomorrow I'll add my shrimp
Tank specs: 48"Long x 17"Tall x 15" Wide Anymore questions let me know.
Co2 Set up links. http://www.ebay.com/itm/330924682316?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271861946294?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005MLTRR4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Light
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U0HMX1C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and 4 Bags of https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00519832W/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I believe the new model is out that allows for controlling them separately.

Edit: just pre-order for may. http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Automated-Aquarium-Controller/dp/B00U0HMX1C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425579837&sr=8-1&keywords=finnex+planted%2B+24+7

Hey thanks for taking the time. Are you referring to this Fluval or a different one? You've mentioned a pressurized CO2, can you point me out to a good resource on this? Or something that you would recommend? Although I have a 10 gallon planted tank with DIY CO2, I'm sure that that is totally different from a pressurized one.

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

If you're wanting to go LED, Finnex and Current USA have some reasonably priced options for planted tanks.

Finnex Planted+ 24/7

https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Automated-Aquarium-Controller/dp/B00U0HMX1C/ref=pd_lpo_199_bs_t_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GM7WVDS69NC1XTGSX537

Current USA Satellite LED+

https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-Satellite-Freshwater-Aquarium/dp/B00C7OTF9E

Well depending on a few factors I don't think anyone here would complain about the finnex planted plus. Amazon has the for a good deal. They are more expensive then a fluorescent tube and a hood, but considering replacements cost the finnex is the way to go. I'd like to get one but, being from Canada Amazon.ca likes to gouge the shit out of the Canadian market comparably to the US.


http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00U0HMX1C/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1451350699&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=finnex+planted+plus&dpPl=1&dpID=51reARjLBOL&ref=plSrch&th=0

I had a finnex on my 30 gallon. Just moved to a 55 and put a finnex on that.

They're great. have yet to have one fail. I really like the 24 hr mode (though I don't think your model has that). here's the one I have for my 55:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00U0HMX1C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Hey guys I might buy this light but I also saw a couple in the close price range and was wondering... thoughts?

• satelite led plus 115.99 Amazon
  
• finnex planted+ 24/7 123.30 Amazon
  
• finnex planted+ 133.24 Amazon

I have these LEDs

Maybe I will get some fluorescent or halide if that doesn't cut it.

https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Planted-Automated-Aquarium-Controller/dp/B00U0HMX1C/ref=sr_1_13?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1539629249&sr=1-13&keywords=aquarium+led

See how the times are listed on the remote? Hard to work with. I hate the stupid thing. It is baffling how most people seem to love it and its one of the highest recommended high tech lights I've seen.


I started at 12 hours and worked my way down to where I am. Lots of people on various planted forums advised 12 and lower it if I got algae. I'm honestly at the point were I pretty much ignore aquarium advice online I see now as it varies so wildly. I'm just figuring it out myself with slow changes and note taking. Been misled far too much. I can ask the same question 3 different times and get 3 completely different answers that are in no way compatible.

Howdy, I'd recommend

Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED, Controller, 48 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0HMX1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_M8Vxzb90TRN23

It's worked well on all of my tanks, and you really gwt what you pay for. It may cost double what you're planning on paying there. But the results are real (depending on how you maintain your tank ofc)

But it (the finnex brand) is really reliable. Here's a youtube of my shabby tank lol https://youtu.be/iD4Vui4fYmo

Sorry, I don’t know what the SE or non-SE are, but here’s a link to the light I’m talking about.

Finnex Planted+ 24/7 Fully Automated Aquarium LED, Controller, 48 Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U0HMX1C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_APHYAb071RXVM

We've bought two finnex products in the last year.

Neither has lasted through the year

One, the power supply went out after ~9 months, right outside warranty. We had to buy a replacement for $30.

The second we have not figured out what went wrong. We're tried new PS, as they are commonly the problem with these units, and a new remote. Finnex wants us to send it in on our dime after we've already spent $30.00 replacing the power supply and another $10.00 to replace the remote.

I love the idea of an planted tank LED, but Finnex is not the answer.