I have a fluval spec V, and I just bought the 20" finnex planted plus light, I LOVE IT! my question is how long should i run the light for during day?
1627913
you should be fine with 6 to 8 hours. too much more than that and you start to get an algae problem.
1627914
I run 4 hours in the am with a 3 hour nap and then on again for 4-5 hours. I also have a 40 gallon full of anubias. For such a small tank I would do, 3 on-3 nap and then 3 on
1627915
I have the same tank, with CO2 I run it for 4 on, 1 off, 4 on, and I keep the blue turned off. It is also off center so I cast a shadow past my drift wood for a med-low light area. With these lights I have to dose with fert like twice a week to keep up. Hope you've got lots of plants. With this light I have micro swords and dwarf baby tears growing, and some s. repens is thriving. For some reason though I can not get any species of java fern to grow it just sort of hangs on.
1627916
I wouldn't run it more than 12 hrs and that's pushing it. I run mine about ten hours. My plants are going nuts, and I hardly fertilize them.
1627917
Probably 10-12 hrs at max..you may see an algae bloom as these lights are pretty awesome..I installed a coralife UV sterilizer and that solved my problem...crystal clear water and fast growing plants..every situation is a little different though..good luck
2268660
I use a foot-long bubble stone bar at the back of the tank, and the fish love it. They play in it all the time. As for the lights, they have a covering over them, but it is not a total enclosure (I think the lights would get too hot and burn out faster if they were TOTALLY enclosed.) But you can get light cheap at WalMart, etc. I just keep some on hand. The main problem is the "barnacles" that can accumulate on the covering over the lights, but if you're good about wiping them off every week or so, it's not an issue, and will keep the lighting in the tank bright.
473055
I've used mine for 6 straight months (24 hrs/day) last year wintering plants here in Alaska. This year it's been on 16 hours a day using a timer since October. I use one of those flexible table lights you could by at any store. I would look at some of the suggestions mentioned in earlier comments for possible light failure.
910924
According to the Finnex website the light spreads at 120 degrees."The durable high output LED bulbs are built to last 40,000+ hours. With a LED spread of 120 degrees, this slim LED bar lights up the largest of aquariums."
1555758
I would rcommend their Ray 2 for a tank that deep if your are going to raise plants. I use one on a 37 gallon high with 24" depth. it is a planted tank, medium light, NO CO2 but do use Exel carbon suppliment. Works well with very little algae. I also use use a FugeRay on a 10 gallon planted that is 12" deep. Don't use chemicals on that one and use an 8 hour daylight length. Two FugeRays would probably work but a single Ray 2 would be my choice. Either way, the lights are reliable and provide me with the best planted tanks I have ever had.
1785515
The stock light is very poor for live plants, but you can buy a rather inexpensive replacement. Its the Finnex Fugeray Planted+ Cliplight. I bought it for around $40 and my plants (anubias, java fern, peacock moss, brazilian pennywort) are growing great1
1764629
Depends on your tank, you may have to experiment with different times. Most fish and plants are tropical and come from equatorial regions so they can do up to 12 hours of light. But most do well with 10 hrs. Do some search on the plants you have in your tank, if they are low light plants, you can do something like 7 or 8 hours. Likewise, if they are high light plants do 11 hours. A good start would be anywhere from 8 to 10 hours. If you get too much algae you may need to reduce the light. Long answer, but i hope helped. :)
910922
According to the Finnex website the light spreads at 120 degrees. "The durable high output LED bulbs are built to last 40,000+ hours. With a LED spread of 120 degrees, this slim LED bar lights up the largest of aquariums."
1159224
This light fixture is great. It is bright enough that my blood shrimp stays hidden most of the time during the day. The timer and effects are really really nice as well. I have this light on a 90 gal rr. When I had my polyps (fish or shrimp picked them clean), they did great with this light.
1450396
This light is not the best for aquatic plant life. Look at the double bright instead. Do some more research.
744482
I have had saltwater aquariums for over 30 years and am not familiar with freshwater lighting requirements, but I can't imagine why it would not be ideal. My LED TrueLumen fixture has performed great, perfect light color and intensity, they have different light colors to select from and I have had no algae growth or heat. It is so thin, the mounting is fantastic. I would not have anything else now.
775225
I leave mine on my desk at work. While it's probably not optimal, the lights are on 24 hours a day there. I have not noticed any detrimental effects from this, but the booklet that if you see excessive algae growth then you should lessen the amount of light it is getting.
549717
it may be a little too strong for freshwater plants or a little bit of overkill. But it is a great light. I use my 16" on a 29 gallon biocube. With all kinds of coral. And it's only at 60% a few hours a day. Very nice light. You may want to ask Hobbie Bug this question.
266610
It would be more than sufficient for your situation. You'll need to be cautious to acclimate your corals to the LEDs. Start out with them very dim, and work up over a period of a couple months. I'd also suggest getting your hands on a Par meter (maybe from a local reeding club). Then you'd have statistical data as to how much light you're getting with each setting in various parts of your tank...
2013257
I know next to nothing about growing flora in the aquarium except some BS I've read in forums. I have planted a low growing and tall growing pair of plants in my 29 high tank with the appropriate sized model of this light. It is a medium populated community tank and I do not use CO2. I do dose daily with Flourish Excel. My plants appear to be doing well and some new sprouts have developed and are growing. I will take a picture and post it in the user pictures portion.
478677
Wouldn't recommend it if you wanna keep more than fish. For the price okay light but i use mine on my refugium. Leds no strong enough to get good coral growth.
1914757
The FugeRay2 may work, but Finnex makes another light that is expressly intended for your use. I currently have a Finnex Ray2 light that works very well on my 90 gallon (a bit over 25" deep) for plants on the bottom of the tank.