Finnex Planted+ 24/7 LED Aquarium Light Review

Planted tank lighting is where a lot of otherwise-good aquariums stall out — enough light to keep fish healthy isn't the same as enough light and the right spectrum to keep demanding plants growing. The Planted+ 24/7 fixture includes a built-in controller that simulates a full sunrise-to-sunset cycle rather than a hard on/off switch.

We tracked new growth on a small group of demanding stem plants (rotala and ludwigia) over six weeks under the fixture at moderate height above a 20-gallon tank. Both species showed consistent new growth and held their red coloration, which typically requires meaningfully higher light than most all-in-one kit lights provide.

Six weeks tracking demanding stem plants

• Genuinely strong enough output to hold red coloration on higher-light stem plants
• The gradual sunrise/sunset simulation visibly reduced fish darting at lights-on
• Full-spectrum output made plant colors and fish patterns look noticeably better than a stock kit light

Our rotala had been slowly losing its red under the stock light. Within three weeks under the Finnex, the new growth was coming in red again.

Where it fell short

• The onboard controller's interface is fiddly for fine-tuning custom schedules
• Mounting legs only fit a narrow range of glass thicknesses out of the box

A strong upgrade for anyone serious about a planted tank, particularly red or demanding stem plants. Fish-only tanks or low-light plant setups don't need this much fixture.