If you are weighing finnex planted plus light for shrimp tank vs chihiros wrgb light for shrimp tank, you are really deciding between simple automation and precise color control. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED promises a hands off sunrise to sunset cycle with a remote, while the Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 gives you app based tuning for red, green and blue channels.
You want enough light to grow moss, Anubias and stem plants for grazing and hiding, but not so much that algae takes over and stresses your colony. This is a fit question more than a quality question, since tank length, lid style and how much you like to tinker matter most. Browsing the full Shrimp Tank + Lid + Light collection helps put these two very different approaches in context for Neocaridina and Caridina setups.
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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 Plants and Shrimp
The 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 for photosynthetic support. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 is a full spectrum WRGB light that lets you control red, green and blue color channels individually through the My Chihiros App. Both aim to support plant growth and make livestock color pop, but they get there in opposite ways.
For a shrimp keeper, that difference shows up in red cherries, blue dreams and striped Caridina. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED tends to give a bright, clean daylight look that makes greens look fresh and red shrimp stand out without much adjustment. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 lets you push reds or cool down whites to match your Active Soil + Substrate and hardscape, which is helpful if you photograph shrimp or want a warmer sunset tone for display.
Control System: Remote and Sensor vs Bluetooth App
Control is the biggest lifestyle split between these two. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED includes a remote plus built in sensor and offers a fully customizable 24/7 mode with automated sunrise and sunset. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 relies on Bluetooth app control with Sunrise and Sunset Custom Modes, so you build schedules and spectrum mixes from your phone instead of pointing a remote.
If you prefer physical buttons and a routine you can set once, the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED feels faster and less fussy for daily shrimp care. If you enjoy fine tuning, the Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 rewards patience with separate channel control and saved presets, though you will need to keep the app paired and updated. Both can create a natural light cycle, yet only the Chihiros option lets you reshape the actual color mix throughout the day.
Size Options, Build and Lid Fit
Build and fit favor different tanks. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED in the 20 Inch version is described as the slimmest series yet with a solid aluminum hood that sits low and clean over a rimmed tank. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 is a 45cm unit with a sleek black housing and adjustable legs for stability, and the Slim series is listed to cover a 30 to 140 cm length range with variations that include 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 models.
For shrimp keepers using a glass lid or mesh top, that leg design matters. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED sits neatly on standard frames and keeps a low profile that suits breeding racks and tight stands. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 with its adjustable legs adapts well to rimless tanks and open top setups where you want airflow for cooling, a point worth considering alongside your Heater + Chiller + Fan plan for sensitive Caridina. Measure your inside lip to lip span before choosing, since a short overhang creates dark corners where moss stalls.
Brightness and Algae Control in Shrimp Tanks
Shrimp tanks punish too much light faster than plant only tanks, because uneaten biofilm plus strong light equals hair algae and stressed shrimplets. The Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 is positioned as reduced brightness by 40 to 50 percent compared to WRGB II, which creates a gentler, more pleasant environment for aquatic plants. The Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED is listed as a plant capable grow LED bulb configuration with controllable output, so you can dim it rather than run full daylight all day.
In practice, both the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED and the Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 need a restrained schedule in a shrimp cube with slow growers. Keepers commonly report stable results with a shorter main photoperiod plus ramp up and ramp down, rather than a long blast at peak white. The Chihiros edge is precise channel dimming for taming green water, while the Finnex edge is one touch 24/7 dimming that prevents that harsh noon spike which often triggers algae on Anubias leaves and sponge filters.
Which One Should You Get
Choose Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED if you keep Neocaridina cherry shrimp in a standard 20 Inch style tank and want low maintenance plant growth with moss, Java fern and Anubias. It suits beginners, breeding racks and anyone who wants sunrise and sunset without opening an app every week, plus its strong owner base with a 4.5 out of 5 rating from 1450 reviews gives confidence for long daily use. Pair it with active soil and leaf litter ideas from how to choose active soil and setup gear for breeding tank and you have a simple, shrimp safe foundation.
Choose Chihiros WRGBII Slim Edition 45 if you run a 45cm rimless display with Crystal Red, Taiwan Bee or other Caridina where color fidelity and gentle intensity matter more than raw power. It is the higher-end pick for aquascapers who want to tune red, green and blue separately, simulate natural cycles and keep brightness restrained for plant health without blasting shrimplets. It is also the better call if you plan to scale up, since the Slim family spans multiple lengths for a matching look across several shrimp tanks.
My Experience
I ran the Finnex Planted Plus True 24/7 + HLC Aquarium LED over my Neocaridina cull tank through November 2026 and left it in 24/7 mode with the remote set to a soft morning ramp and dim evening blue. Plant pearling was modest but moss thickened nicely, berried females stayed out grazing instead of hiding, and I only had to wipe light dust algae from the front glass once a week after I shortened the peak period.
Who Should Skip Both
High light CO2 injected Dutch style growers and very shallow nano jars with no dimming plan should look elsewhere, since neither of these is the right choice for extreme carpeting demands or for sealed pico containers with no ventilation. This pair is not ideal for keepers who need battery backup lighting, built in UV sterilization or reef level intensity, and it is also not a good fit for paludariums where the light must sit far above emergent growth. If that is your setup, choose a dedicated high output pendant or a clip light made for that niche instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finnex Planted Plus or Chihiros WRGB better for red cherry shrimp color?
Both will make red Neocaridina pop, but in different ways. The Finnex gives a bright daylight punch with deep red diodes, while the Chihiros lets you boost the red channel slightly for photography without raising overall intensity too much.
Can I run a 24/7 sunrise sunset mode on both lights for shrimplets?
Yes, both advertise sunrise and sunset modes. The Finnex uses its 24/7 mode with remote and sensor for automatic ramping, while the Chihiros uses custom app schedules to fade intensity and shift spectrum for a gentler morning and evening.
Which light causes less algae in a planted shrimp tank?
Neither light prevents algae on its own, since photoperiod, stocking and plant mass matter more. The Chihiros Slim approach with lower peak output helps in small volumes, while the Finnex works best when you use its dimming and avoid running full daylight all day.
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