Planted Tank LED recommendations?

[RMS18]

I'm currently building a freshwater planted tank that will house two bonsai trees on the land part of the tank along with moss and some duckweed.

Any recommendations on a LED light? Preferably with a controller so I don't have to use a timer. I was looking at the AI prime freshwater but not in the mood to drop $200 on the light. Only the SW tanks get the fancy equipment :)

Thanks!

 

[Drysea]

Most low price competitive grow lights are very red to the eye. If you are looking for more natural light I think your going to be in more money. For example Kessil 360x sun is great and you can get a controller but $$$. For under 200 I think more red grow lights. Plenty of fancy stuff in freshwater just still expensive.

 

[LadyMac]

The current USA satellite plus pro is supposed to be nice and bright. Comes with a ramp timer. The finnex planted + 24/7s are decent as well. Both would do well for duckweed and moss.

 

[Waters]

I agree with @LadyMac ...any of the Finnex lights are good. I actually have two Finnex fixtures you can have if you can find your way to Northern Ohio lol.

 

[RMS18]

Thanks for the responses!! I ended up going with a Finnex 24/7 HLC. There was a trend with complaints of the remotes breaking but a lot more positive reviews. Plus I'm very easy on remotes, unlike my wife and daughter who push the buttons into tomorrow .

 

[LadyMac]

The 24/7s are very nice for the constant change during the day. Full disclosure from me: on one of mine, when I pulled it off the tank to give a quick wipe down with a rag, which in my haste was more wet than it should have probably been, some water had gotten inside to the control board. It works, but had to first fry completely and it takes it awhile to get back to normal of I unplug it, so just keep that in mind. I’m planning to replace this fixture for that reason alone. It’s grown my crypts and buces lovely so as for performance I have no complaints.

 

[LadyMac]

Thanks for the responses!! I ended up going with a Finnex 24/7 HLC. There was a trend with complaints of the remotes breaking but a lot more positive reviews. Plus I'm very easy on remotes, unlike my wife and daughter who push the buttons into tomorrow .

Really the remotes aren’t that fragile in my opinion. It’s a good design with actual buttons and isn’t something that feels “throw away”. Most likely you’ll use it for setup and then just for power outages so that’s not a big issue to me.

 

[Waters]

Yeah, I never had any issues with the Finnex remotes either. I ran a 24/7 and a Ray2 on my high tech planted tank.....the 24/7 more for the change in spectrums throughout the day and the stingray for the high PAR.