Bought these from a different store and without the electronic timer built into the light. I have one of those power center strips with timers that automatically control the light periods so I didn't need timers on the lights for a freshwater tank. I have had these lights for almost two years. I have a 45 gallon planted tank with Fluval Stratum and CO2. These really put out a lot of light I have two lamps which means 4 x 39 watts over 45 gallons. I swapped out the light bulbs for Geisemann bulbs based on feedback from some planted tank online forums. The lights work well if I could have afforded it two years ago, I would have gone LED however. Couple of things to note the lights sit low over the top of the tank. You really cannot fit two banks of lights with a Marineland dual power wheel filter because the lights will hit the top of the filter. There is not much clearance between the top of the tank and the lights so if you're like me and stick your hands in the tank frequently to drop in vegetable foods, move around plants, trim plants, etc. you can barely get your hand under the lights and in the tank. Ditto for trying to fit a gravel suction cleaner in the tank. For those tasks, it's easier just to temporarily move the lights off the tank. Also, my glass cover on the tank is no longer able to flip upso I removed the hinge and now just lift off the glass section to feed the fish. The lights also get hot (even though they are fluorescent) so if you're sticking your hands in the tank, you will get close to the hot bulbs and you'll feel the heat. Not enough to burn your arm but it's still very warm. Like the look of the lights, performance has been excellent my plants grow like crazy (helps to have CO2). Been happy with these.
I have a 180 gallon tank that is 24" deep, and this light has just the right brightness for my plants to thrive, and to light up the tank properly for viewing. I have a glass top, so I just rest the light directly on the canopy, and I haven't had any issues with heat.
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I've owned this item for a few months now and have absolutely no complaints at all. It fires up quickly, lights the tank well and has more than doubled the plant growth in my tank. I wasn't sure if I'd like the roseate bulb, but I've been pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if I'll replace it with another roseate when it dies yet, but so far I can say that I notice a difference in the coloring of the fish from the bulb. Much brighter reds/oranges. I cannot rate its impact on plant growth, however, as this is my first planted tank and therefore I have no experience with other bulbs.
Item was shipped far better than expected it was VERY well wrapped and VERY well protected. Pretty sure I could have thrown the box down the stairs three or four times without any issues.
A great item from a great seller, buy with confidence!
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Finally upgraded and bought my second light fixture. The main reason for me buying this brand is because of the ability to link up to three fixtures. Linking the two fixtures wasn't that easy though. It was very hard to line up the screws took me a hr to get things up and rolling. Other than that they work perfectly. They do not get hot and the bulbs that come with them is bright and grows my plants beautifully. I have them set up on timers the front two bulbs are on for three hrs. Then all four bulbs are on for two hrs and the front two bulbs are on for three.
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This is a solid light fixture, made of metal with all things held in place by multiple screws. The powercord is thick and the switch feels well built. I have a feeling that this thing is going to last a long time. My previous ballast was discontinued so they stopped selling bulbs for it, hence this purchase once the older bulbs burned out. It is a pain in the neck to change lightbulbs though since you need to flip the unit, unscrew 4 tiny screws (careful, they are easy to lose), slide open the clear plastic covering and then you get to the lights. I did not attach the legs (even though it says must be used with legs) and instead it is sitting almost flush against my fish tank glass top. I say almost because I have a 6 foot tank with two bracing bars in the middlle and I have two of these lights, both of which are lifted about an 1/8th of an inch due to it resting on top of the bracing bars. The lights get warm, almost hot, but never too hot to touch (depending on your heat threshold).
Although I did fill my tank to the brim the other day which brought my anarachas very close to the light, I think too close because the top leaves closest to the lights got burned/bleached or something and turned brown/yellow and became very thin. So if you place these directly onto your glass top, be weary of filling the water to within 1/2 an inch of the light as these are very strong lights. That being said, I have 3 different species (sub species?) of anubius plants and some moss balls. The anubius, after only a week of this light, are a brighter green that I've ever before scene in my tanks. I used to have a daylight bulb and a blue actinic bulb. These Aquatic Life lights come with a daylight bulb and a red/pink looking bulb. There must be something in that red light because my plants love it. However my moss balls are a little less enamoured since two of them are in direct light and they are slowly getting bleached (they are on week 3 and arent recovering) where as another two are in semi shaded areas and are bright green. So its hit or miss with which plant likes what light, but these are definitely strong lights.
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I wanted a tank that was space efficiant and looked better than a regular square tank. This one is acrylic and has no seams i ordered the 20 gallon from Petco online since shipping was free. Beautiful view with fish in it. You will need to be mindful it doesn't have a top it's one unit so your ornaments and rocks will have to between i believe 5-6 inches wide. It comes with a hood but only downfall is no light. Petsmart has them and it was a 12" light. Overall very happy with this tank and fits nicely in the corner on an end table so i didn't have to buy special furniture for it to be on.
