If you are weighing finnex planted plus light for shrimp tank vs chihiros wrgb light for shrimp tank for taiwan bee, you are choosing between hands off automation and precise color tuning. I keep Taiwan Bee shrimp in active soil tanks where stable, gentle light matters more than raw output. In this comparison I look at Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED against Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 for spectrum, algae balance, daily control, and fit.
Taiwan Bees show the best color and breed most steadily under calm, predictable light that grows Anubias, Buce, and moss without algae spikes. Both lights promise sunrise and sunset plus full spectrum plant support, but they get there in very different ways. You want the one that matches your tank length, your tolerance for phone apps, and how much red pop you want in your scape.
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Quick Picks at a Glance
Prime Finnex Planted+ 24/7 HLC 20 Inch Aquarium LED
Chihiros WRGB II Slim 45cm Aquarium LED Light
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Pros
- Bright full spectrum output that supports healthy growth in most freshwater planted tanks
- Highly programmable 24/7 automation remembers its place in the cycle after a power interruption
- Slim yet sturdy aluminum construction looks clean and discreet on display tanks
- Flexible color control lets you boost reds and greens or tune intensity to limit algae
Cons
- IR remote needs line of sight and the programming takes practice to master
- Not fully water resistant, works best on tanks with a glass lid or cover
- 16.5 watt output may be limited for high light carpeting plants in deeper tanks
The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 HLC 20 inch is a full spectrum LED designed for freshwater planted aquariums. It is best for hobbyists who want one fixture that grows plants well and also enhances fish color.
Its standout feature is the fully customizable 24/7 mode with true 660nm deep red LEDs plus daylight, green and blue channels. Owners report strong growth, vivid reds and greens, and a convenient set and forget cycle that resumes correctly after being turned off.
Build quality is a highlight, with a slim polished aluminum body that feels solid yet discreet on the tank. The included clear legs, IR remote and built in sensor give it a clean, premium feel compared to bulkier plastic fixtures.
There are some drawbacks to know. Programming has a learning curve and the IR remote requires direct line of sight to work reliably. It is also not fully water resistant, so a glass cover is recommended for splash protection.
Overall, this is one of the most versatile lights for planted tank keepers who value automation and color tuning. If you want healthy plants, natural sunrise to sunset transitions and fun weather effects in a sleek package, it is an excellent choice.
Model: HLC-20, Length: 20 Inch, Light Source: LED with 4 channel cluster
Spectrum: 8000K Daylight plus True 660nm Deep Red, Blue and Green LEDs
Control: IR remote with 24/7 custom sunrise and sunset, 4 memory slots and 4 weather modes
Construction: Aluminum body and shade in sleek silver, rectangular prism shape with clear mounting legs
Power: Corded electric, 16.5 watts, indoor use for aquariums, includes LED body, remote and 2 clear legs
Pros
- Full spectrum RGB control allows precise tuning for plant color and growth
- Built in sunrise sunset modes create a stress free environment for fish
- Low power consumption with wide, even light spread
- Slim, modern black design with adjustable mounting legs
Cons
- Lower intensity than standard WRGB II, not ideal for high demand carpeting plants or reef corals
- Bluetooth app control required for advanced settings, no manual onboard display
- 45cm size fits specific tanks, so measure carefully before choosing from the Slim range
The Chihiros WRGB II Slim Edition 45cm is a full spectrum aquarium LED designed for freshwater planted tanks and ornamental fish displays. It is best suited for hobbyists who want vibrant color rendition with softer intensity than high output lights.
Standout performance comes from independent red, green and blue channel control through the My Chihiros App. The sunrise and sunset modes create smooth transitions that mimic nature, which helps reduce stress while showcasing plant colors beautifully.
The fixture features a slim black housing that looks clean and modern over open top tanks. Adjustable legs provide a secure fit, while the high beam angle delivers even coverage with efficient, low heat output.
The main tradeoff is brightness, as this Slim model is 40 to 50 percent dimmer than the standard WRGB II. That makes it gentle for most community setups, but it may underperform for demanding high light plants or coral focused systems.
Overall, the WRGB II Slim 45 is a smart, stylish choice for planted tank owners who value control and aesthetics over raw power. If you want customizable, natural looking light for a mid size aquarium, it delivers excellent balance and versatility.
Model: WRGB II Slim Edition 45cm for planted and fish only aquariums.
Control: Bluetooth via My Chihiros App with independent RGB channels and timer modes.
Lighting: Full spectrum RGB LEDs with high beam angle plus sunrise and sunset simulation.
Fit: Adjustable mounting legs, part of the 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120cm Slim series.
Design: Slim black housing listed at 47.3 x 17.1 x 8.6 inches.
Choose the 45cm Slim if you have a 45 to 60cm tank with low to medium light plants like anubias, java fern and rotala.
If you grow demanding carpeting plants or keep light hungry corals, consider the brighter standard WRGB II instead of the Slim version.
For best results, use the app to set a 6 to 8 hour photoperiod with sunrise sunset ramps to limit algae and support steady growth.
How They Compare
Spectrum and Color Rendering for Taiwan Bee Color
Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED uses a four bulb cluster built around 8,000K Daylight plus Red, Blue, and Green LEDs, with True 660nm Deep Red plant LEDs to push red plants and warm tones. Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 takes a different path with full spectrum WRGB output where the My Chihiros App lets you tune red, green, and blue channels individually. For Taiwan Bee tanks, both render white bodies and blue bolts cleanly, but the style of control is the real split.
In viewing, the Finnex gives a bright, crisp daylight look that makes green moss glow and red root floaters stand out, though you cannot fine tune each color without stepping through remote presets. The Chihiros gives softer, more tailored color that flatters black Taiwan Bees and wine reds, though it takes more fiddling to find a balance you like. If you dislike phone tuning, that extra precision can start to feel like work instead of help.
Brightness Control and Algae Balance in Low pH Tanks
Brightness is where Taiwan Bee keepers should pay close attention. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 is described as 40 to 50 percent reduced brightness compared to WRGB II, which creates a gentler light field that suits mosses and slow growers in Caridina tanks. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED is listed as plant capable with a controllable fixture, but it leans brighter out of the box and relies on its 24/7 dimming curve to soften midday peaks. Both can grow plants, only one starts dim by design.
You will get less algae with the Chihiros if you run a short photoperiod and keep blue lower, which helps berried Taiwan Bees stay out and graze in the open. The Finnex can also stay algae free, but you need to use its sunrise and sunset cycle and avoid parking it at full noon output all day. Pair either light with a buffered active soil setup like in this Fluval 12695 Plant and Shrimp Stratum vs ADA Aqua Soil Amazonia Ver 2 comparison to keep pH low while your plants adapt to the new schedule.
Automation and Daily Light Stability
For daily stability, the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED offers fully customizable 24/7 mode with sunrise and sunset, plus a remote included and built in sensor for hands off shifts. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 offers Bluetooth App Control through the My Chihiros App with sunrise and sunset custom modes and individual channel memory. If your routine is consistent, both prevent the harsh on off shock that sends shrimplets hiding, but the Finnex does it without needing your phone.
The downsides are real on both sides and worth weighing. The Finnex remote is easy to misplace and menu stepping can frustrate you when you want a small tweak late at night. The Chihiros app is powerful, yet Bluetooth pairing and updates can annoy you on water change day. Stable light and stable heat go together for Caridina, so review how to choose thermometers and temp gear for caridina shrimp while you lock in a schedule that your colony can trust.
Fit, Build and Tank Coverage
The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED in the 20 Inch size uses a slim aluminum hood that feels solid and sheds heat well over a standard rimmed tank. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 uses a sleek black housing with adjustable legs for stability, and the Slim series spans 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 models to cover a 30 to 140 cm length range. For a single Taiwan Bee breeder tank, both sit cleanly, but Chihiros gives you more length choices if you run several tanks in different sizes.
Lid fit matters for shrimplet safety and evaporation control. The Finnex low profile bar slides easily under a glass lid or mesh top, though the sensor needs a clear view to work correctly. The Chihiros adjustable feet help on rimless tanks, but you should check clearance if you use a tight fitting lid. Browse the Shrimp Tank + Lid + Light archive for lid pairings that reduce jumpers and keep condensation off the diodes.
Which One Should You Get
Choose Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED if you want a set and forget daylight cycle for a 20 Inch Taiwan Bee display with moss, Anubias, and a few red stems. You like using a physical remote, you want True 660nm Deep Red to warm up greens without app tuning, and you prefer a slim aluminum housing over a rimmed tank. You should NOT buy it if you want per channel app control or you run a very shallow aquascape that needs precise percentage dimming.
Choose Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 if you keep Taiwan Bees in a 45cm rimless or shallow tank and want gentle, tunable WRGB light with Bluetooth control. You will like dialing red, green, and blue separately, saving sunrise and sunset custom modes, and starting from 40 to 50 percent lower brightness than WRGB II to limit algae. You should skip it if you hate phone apps, you need a simple remote for family members, or you want the brightest noon burst for demanding carpet plants.
My Experience
In November 2026 I ran the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED on my 20 Inch Taiwan Bee cull tank and the Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 on a 45cm breeder right next to it. I liked leaving the Finnex in 24/7 mode with small remote tweaks because shrimplets stayed out during ramp up and moss stayed clean without a green dust outbreak. The Chihiros needed a week of app tweaks, but once I lowered blue and saved a soft sunset, my black Taiwan Bees looked richer and berried females grazed longer into the evening.
Who Should Skip Both
High light CO2 racers and tiny pico owners should look elsewhere, since this pair is not ideal for keepers who want a clip on pico light or a reef grade coral fixture. If you run a lidless cube with only floating plants, or a large high tech layout that needs intense midday peaks, neither slim plant light will satisfy you. You are better served by a dedicated high output bar or a small clip light, plus tight water control with RO System + Remineralize gear to keep Taiwan Bee parameters steady.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which light is better for Taiwan Bee shrimplet survival, Finnex or Chihiros?
Both can be shrimplet safe when you use ramps instead of instant on off. I lean toward the Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 for shy new shrimplets because its lower baseline brightness is gentler, while the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED is excellent if you commit to its full 24/7 sunrise and sunset curve.
Can the Finnex Planted Plus 24/7 HLC and Chihiros WRGBII Slim do sunrise and sunset without timers?
Yes, both handle it internally and you do not need a separate outlet timer. The Finnex uses customizable 24/7 mode with remote control and built in sensor, while the Chihiros uses the My Chihiros App with Bluetooth control and custom sunrise and sunset modes you can save.
Will the Chihiros WRGBII Slim 45 or Finnex HLC 20 cause algae in a Caridina shrimp tank?
Either light can cause algae if you run too long a photoperiod or too much white and blue at peak. Start with six to seven hours, keep intensity moderate, and grow slow plants like moss and Anubias first. Keepers commonly report less green dust when blue is reduced and water changes stay regular.
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