Lighting Suggestions - 235g

[RockyProndoa]

Hello everyone,

Excuse my multiple posts - I'm new here and trying to determine the best way to ask all of my questions!

As I have stated in a few other posts, I am starting a high-tech, 235g planted tank. Tank dimensions are 72" L x 30" W x 25" H.

I'm still working out many of the details, but for now I plan to make this a South American themed tank centered around a few Electric Blue Acara. And yes, I know they'll dig I don't plan to have a ton of red plants, if any, in the tank, but I do want a light that has potential in that I can use it in any situation should I choose to redo/rescape the tank a few years down the road.

My requirements:

1. Must be able to be mounted via hanging kit/pendant mount
2. Dimmable
3. Usable App for initial setup with customizable channels - I typically loathe preset specs.
4. Reliable
5. Budget - nothing set in stone - but I would assume somewhere around $1,000.00 USD would be sufficient.

I'm an old school T5HO fan, but I thought I would change it up a bit for this tank and see what I am missing out on.

My current top choice is the Week Aqua (version 3) P900 Pro x 2.

I welcome any input on these specific lights (is 2 enough?) as well as any other lights that would be comparable and fit the criteria noted above.

 

[Kwyet]

I have that over a 68 gallon and the 1200 over a 75 gallon. They can do all of the things you listed. I don’t care for the presets either, but you can easily customize the settings. I love them.

 

[Koan]

Lots of Week Aqua and Netlea fans here

Here's a couple interesting discussions to get you started

Thread 'Using house hold/industrial lighting vs aquarium fixtures.'

Apr 17, 2026

I took some comparison pics of the aquarium today using some spare room lights lying around so I thought it will be interesting for folks to see.
There is some uneven lighting with the desk lamp and Hygger as they are a bit too small to light the whole tank evenly.
What I thought was interesting was that the photographs with better visual color appear sharper, but all the photographs are actually the exact same sharpness.

Desklamp 6500k



LED flood light 6500k



Hygger smart LED [35w]



Netlea AT5, red setting



Netlea AT5, 45R 32G 25B...

• Dennis Wong
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Planted Aquarium Discussion

• 
• 

Poll Thread 'The Great Planted Aquarium Light Poll'

Jul 5, 2025

One of the many benefits of our growing community is the ability to share and use our collective knowledge and experiences. Let's start to capture the lights that we are using so that future members can reach out if we have the same light they want to use.

Please select your light manufacturer (you can select more than one) and then make a post with your model numbers.

"Tell me. And remember, this is for posterity, so be honest." Bonus points for who knows where that's from (don't Google or AI it ).

• Art
• Replies: 83
• Forum: Equipment Discussions

 

[JayP]

Well, due to tariffs, the price has gone way up recently, so two of the medium Skylight Hyperspots which is what is recommended for a 180cm tank, would run nearly double your $1000 budget, but they are pretty much cream of the crop right now. If you watch any newer Green Aqua videos on Youtube, you'll see they have them on many of the tanks in their gallery. @Naturescapes_Rocco uses one. MJ Aquascaping (also on Youtube) also uses them on some of his tanks in his new gallery.

 

[JayP]

Also, I have both Week Aqua and Chihiros lights, and while I think the P900 would perform well for you and is a little more budget friendly, I personally feel the Chihiros performs better.

 

[Kwyet]

Also, I have both Week Aqua and Chihiros lights, and while I think the P900 would perform well for you and is a little more budget friendly, I personally feel the Chihiros performs better.

Is the customer service better on one or the other? The one time I needed customer service from Chihiros it took months to get the problem addressed and the replacement part. I haven’t needed anything from Week Aqua.

 

[Capraquaria]

Is the customer service better on one or the other? The one time I needed customer service from Chihiros it took months to get the problem addressed and the replacement part. I haven’t needed anything from Week Aqua.

I am currently using two Chihiros Vivid 3’s on my 60” tank. I agree about customer service from Chihiros, or lack thereof. While I haven’t had any issues with their WRGB II slim lights, the Vivid 3's over my 150U are driving me crazy, as is their flaky app. The more I use Chihiros, the less I like them. The convenience of integrating multiple devices through the same flaky app simply isn’t worth it, and when the app fails to find a lamp, that light becomes a $700 paperweight, as it won’t function without the app. A few weeks ago my Chihiros app mind-wiped itself after an update, and all my devices over three tanks disappeared. One of the two Vivid 3’s I have has a flaky Bluetooth controller, and even though both lamps are installed side by side, when set to the same spectrum, the colors rendered by both lamps are inconsistent. Even with the straight up stock ‘nature’ spectrum setting on the Vivids, I have a rather red looking end on the right side of the tank, and that is the light that I struggle constantly with to get Bluetooth to even find it. The left side light has been fine, but the lack of consistency between both of them is irritating, as is my ability to get the Bluetooth controller replaced on the flaky lamp (customer service’s answer to everything is to reset the lamp, reinstall the app, or it’s a problem with the bluetooth settings on the device, even when the settings are wide open). If the light turns on, Chihiros doesn't seem to consider it broken. For $700 each, without the shades, honestly, I would have just been better off spending a smidge more and purchasing the Hyperspots.

 

[BranchScape]

Limited knowledge here so I wont suggest what to pick just listing some options in budget and what I had looked at when I thought I could fit a bigger custom tank in my living room vs what I went with. I had settled on Kessil's only because I know some very trusted sources that do Kessil's on ultra large installations and they are the go to for public aquariums. They just squeak into your budget if you get them on sale which they will likely do for memorial day. I didn't know about Skylight, Netlea and Week Aqua back then though.

A360XE Tuna Sun | Kessil LED

Netlea Thor 6s - Advance Lighting System

WEEK AQUA T90 PRO APP RGB-UV 90W V3 Latest Model

Professional 90W RGB-UV aquarium LED with Bluetooth app control, 9000-12000K adjustable spectrum, aluminum construction, and universal voltage. Perfect for planted tanks and reef systems. Latest V3 model.

aquarockscolorado.com

 

[JayP]

I am currently using two Chihiros Vivid 3’s on my 60” tank. I agree about customer service from Chihiros, or lack thereof. While I haven’t had any issues with their WRGB II slim lights, the Vivid 3's over my 150U are driving me crazy, as is their flaky app. The more I use Chihiros, the less I like them. The convenience of integrating multiple devices through the same flaky app simply isn’t worth it, and when the app fails to find a lamp, that light becomes a $700 paperweight, as it won’t function without the app. A few weeks ago my Chihiros app mind-wiped itself after an update, and all my devices over three tanks disappeared. One of the two Vivid 3’s I have has a flaky Bluetooth controller, and even though both lamps are installed side by side, when set to the same spectrum, the colors rendered by both lamps are inconsistent. Even with the straight up stock ‘nature’ spectrum setting on the Vivids, I have a rather red looking end on the right side of the tank, and that is the light that I struggle constantly with to get Bluetooth to even find it. The left side light has been fine, but the lack of consistency between both of them is irritating, as is my ability to get the Bluetooth controller replaced on the flaky lamp (customer service’s answer to everything is to reset the lamp, reinstall the app, or it’s a problem with the bluetooth settings on the device, even when the settings are wide open). If the light turns on, Chihiros doesn't seem to consider it broken. For $700 each, without the shades, honestly, I would have just been better off spending a smidge more and purchasing the Hyperspots.

A shame about the customer service. I haven't needed it with them or Week Aqua so can't speak to it. As for the blutooth, I've had a couple blips in the past and resets have gotten things working again. Overall. I think the Chihiros app is much more user friendly than Week Aqua though. I can't speak to the performnce of the Vivids or the P series. I have WRGB !!s and !! Pros and M series and L series. The L series should be on the same level, power wise, as the WRGB !! and Pro but to me, it just doesn't reach the same peak intensity and has hot and cold spots in it's light pattern. Maybe both brands just have some manufacturing inconsistencies.

There's also ADA Solar RGB lights, but they're even more expensive than the Hyperspots.

 

[Koan]

I haven’t needed anything from Week Aqua.

I will say the one time I reached out to Week Aqua to ask a question about availability of some parts, they got back to me within 24 hours

 

[RockyProndoa]

The more I get into these options, the deeper into the weeds I feel I'm getting.

Netlea:

Sun 7N
Thor 6S
AT7S - AT6 Pro

AT7S appears to be a newer model than the Thor 6S?
Sun 7N appears to cater more towards fish AND plants?

 

[JayP]

The more I get into these options, the deeper into the weeds I feel I'm getting.

Netlea:

Sun 7N
Thor 6S
AT7S - AT6 Pro

AT7S appears to be a newer model than the Thor 6S?
Sun 7N appears to cater more towards fish AND plants?

There's the Official Netlea Club Thread discussing Netlea lights, both the good, and not so good.

 

[RockyProndoa]

There's the Official Netlea Club Thread discussing Netlea lights, both the good, and not so good.

Just read through here, very informative - thank you!

For some reason, I really want to go WeekAqua (probably because of the lower price point) but the vendor for both is adamant that the Netlea lights are significantly better. I could get three of the WeekAqua lights for the price of two of the Netlea.

Real world problems, haha.

 

[JayP]

Just read through here, very informative - thank you!

For some reason, I really want to go WeekAqua (probably because of the lower price point) but the vendor for both is adamant that the Netlea lights are significantly better. I could get three of the WeekAqua lights for the price of two of the Netlea.

Real world problems, haha.

I think you'll find, for the most part, that many here are generally happy with most of these lights we've mentioned. My previous comments might indicate a preference for Chihiros but I'm still overall quite happy with my Week Aqua lights and to your point, they are priced better than others of the same tier.

The one thing I'd point out, you mentioned 2 P900s. That would put them end to end hanging over your tank. There use to be a 800mm version of the P series that might be better suited for a 180cm tank , but I'm not sure if those are still available.

 

[RockyProndoa]

I think you'll find, for the most part, that many here are generally happy with most of these lights we've mentioned. My previous comments might indicate a preference for Chihiros but I'm still overall quite happy with my Week Aqua lights and to your point, they are priced better than others of the same tier.

I think that hits the nail on the head, really. I've been trying to convince myself why I 'need' the Netlea, when I'm sure the WeekAqua will do what I need. I don't really plan to grow many, if any, red stems, nor do I plan to have a 'carpeting' type plant as I am going for more of an open front sand/driftwood look with plants occupying the rear 2/3 of the tank. I think the extra $400 difference would be better suited to other aspects of the tank and I'll most likely go with the WeekAqua's simply for the price point.

I do appreciate all of the input thus far and everyone holding my hand during this journey

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Do you have an idea of what kind of “green” plants you plan to grow? Realistically all of the brand names you’re hearing will grow anything just fine, it becomes a matter of personal preference. I loved my Twinstar, and I still think it’s a great light. Twinstar however has not evolved past keeping all colors on the same channel, it’s a set color rendition. They also have a mediocre dimmer/controller. Theres a lot more lights on the market now with options for color and intensity.

Now if your going for easy green plants that don’t need powerful lighting to look impressive, you can opt for much less expensive options, or at least lower tier versions of some of these big brands.

 

[Koan]

I have that over a 68 gallon and the 1200 over a 75 gallon.

And here are some pics!

Journal Post in thread 'Kwyet’s 125 / now 140G Nature Tank'

May 28, 2025

I liked the Week Aqua T90 Pro that I put on my BiOrb so much, that I took advantage of a sale at Aquarocks Colorado a few weeks back, and put 3 of them on this tank. I think they would look better if they were all black. I wonder if they could be painted? The difference inside the tank is amazing though! I haven’t checked the par yet, but I have them on the Algae setting at 60% power. One of these days when I feel like fiddling with Photone again, I’ll check it and report back. I still have some BBA algae, mostly on the wood, but all the string algae in the moss has just vanished. ...

• Kwyet

• 
• 

 

[Kwyet]

Those are the Week Aqua T90’s. Here are pics of the P900 and P1200.

P900

After this photo, I learned it helps to turn down the exposure before taking the picture.

P1200

 

[RockyProndoa]

Do you have an idea of what kind of “green” plants you plan to grow? Realistically all of the brand names you’re hearing will grow anything just fine, it becomes a matter of personal preference. I loved my Twinstar, and I still think it’s a great light. Twinstar however has not evolved past keeping all colors on the same channel, it’s a set color rendition. They also have a mediocre dimmer/controller. Theres a lot more lights on the market now with options for color and intensity.

Now if your going for easy green plants that don’t need powerful lighting to look impressive, you can opt for much less expensive options, or at least lower tier versions of some of these big brands.

Well, no. Not necessarily. Ha. I've got a big tank - and while I originally wanted it to be themed South American and centered around the electric blue acara...I am leaning towards it being much more 'liberal' location-wise. I'm really liking Ivanocara bimaculatas better...however, both are known plant eaters/displacers, so I do have that to deal with as well. I think a general tetra/angelfish/SA cichlid tank is probably where I'll end up - I just really need to find that one photo inspiration that settles my internal debate.

I do not want a fully planted dutch-style tank, but I do want it heavily planted in the rear 2/3...or so. Driftwood, stones...very nature style is preferred.

To your point, and as @JayP pointed out, I think you're right in the lights I'm considering are most likely overkill, but that's ok, because if I ever choose to change the layout/plans for the tank in the future, I am not limited by light.

 

[RockyProndoa]

Those are the Week Aqua T90’s. Here are pics of the P900 and P1200.

Awesome photos - thanks for sharing. The P900s will definitely suffice for my intended use.