I cannot say enough good things about this light! First of all, the packaging was perfect. It was wrapped fully in bubble wrap. No directions needed for the clear plastic legs (which are high quality, in my opinion). The light arrived in perfect condition and in good working order. It is a good idea to check all electrical connections and re-seat them to ensure proper function out of the box. This is true with any electrical product that requires different connections to mate up.

There is a good write-up on the Planted Tank forums regarding the PAR and PUR this light puts out. To put it simply, this light is impressive for the money! A single one of these will produce medium light at 18", which is fantastic! I've only had this light for a few days, with the amount of light it puts out, if it withstands the test of time, this light is truly unbelievable for the price. The plants are quickly doing noticably better! I use the 36" light on a 40 gallon breeder. I do about 10g of water every Saturday, dose fertilizer on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I did my first water change yesterday (Saturday 9/23/17) since getting this light...and my plants started pearling! They have NEVER done that! It was truly amazing to watch, very mesmerizing!

I'm sure you could achieve medium-high or even simply high light if you doubled up on this for those of you doing CO2 injection and growing high demand plants. I don't have any interest in doing that, but medium light is desired. I dose fertilizers, will start an Excel regimen now, etc, but no CO2. I keep some plants with my fish, not some fish with my plants. I would personally not hesitate to purchase this light again (unless Beamswork comes out with an even better one).

Will do periodic updates as time goes on to try to document how well this light holds up long term.

Update: The 36 inch model on a 40 breeder falls under the "high light" category, in my experience. I started growing a plague of green spot algae, and tried every trick to get rid of it. More flow, bigger, more frequent water changes, really increasing phosphate levels, etc, and the stuff wouldn't go away. Many on the forums have taken to using a dimmer with this light in order to stay "low tech" with great success, eliminating the algae growth and still growing healthy, beautiful plants. The other option is to inject pressurized co2, which is the avenue I went down. Adding co2 and increasing liquid fertilization in the water column and bam, new growth on platns stopped getting eaten by green spot algae.

I still love this light and highly recommend it, and feel it definitely deserves the 5/5 stars (where else can you find a "high light" fixture for around $50-$60?!), but be aware of its potential. I can't speak to the really long models on taller tanks, but if you have a 40 breeder or 55/60 gallon tank, purchase a dimmer, raise the light, or add co2. You won't regret it!

I'm very impressed with this light especially for the price! I bought my first of these for a 40gal low tech planted tank and saw immediate visual appeal and quickly more vigorous plant growth (even my red plants!) but the alge liked it a lot too. Here enters my ONLY critique, I had to purchase the timer and adjustment knob separately. All together still a great price, not really complaining, just could be more convenient as a packaged deal with all three items. That said, after less then a year I bought a second of all three for my Co2 injected 75gal and had even more great success. The image is the 75 right after a rework then a few months later with only this light, co2 and some root tabs. As I'm writing this, I'm actually about to buy a third for my new 75gal while the other two are still running like champs. I recommend definitely buying at least the adjustment knob if not the timer so you can find the best amount of light for your set up. With the timer, first off no bulky timer blocking up my surge suppressor and personally I like the blue lights kicking on themselves which is only possible if you have the timer, otherwise you have to flip the switch manually. I don't notice it to ever get very hot but as I've mentioned I rarely turn them to max brightness. If your thinking about buying this light, just DO IT! Just don't forget the knob.

So far seems to be good but I did notice when I turn the lights on sometimes, they would flicker and shut off then a second or so later they will come on hopefully they will last only time will tell I will keep you posted as I used them more.09/09/2023 gave it another star for doing a pretty good job in growing my plants there is not a day that goes by that I see most plants pearl. and this a low-tech setup that I turned a reef tank into a planted freshwater tank. If this keeps up, I'll give it another star.

This is the my second off these lights. First one lasted four years and then the power supply went out. The light still works with the power supply from my new light. Four years seemed like a decent value for the price paid to me. I have the timer as well and really like the light and timer. I have much more expensive lights on other aquariums and this one seems just about as good to me. Only real difference, you can't adjust the power levels like the more expensive ones. But that's over rated. Very good light for the money, my plants love it.

I have had this light and used it for A DAY. I cannot speculate on the longevity of the product, not can I tell you about any issues that arise over time.

I got the 48 inch version and placed it on my 55 gallon Aqueon aquarium. I am using the glass Aqueon (All Glass) Versa-Tops (basically 2 20 gallon tall tops, really). Prior to having this light I was using FOUR hooded fluorescent lights - TWO Colormax bulbs and TWO Floramax bulbs. It wasn't pretty, but the growth on low light plants was okay. The fish looked pretty good, the plants grew alright, but I wasn't satisfied with the setup. I looked at A LOT of lights. I looked at lights cheaper than this and more expensive, with different colors and all white, bright and dim and in-between. I am glad that I picked this light. If it can stand the test of time, then this might be one of the best purchases I have made in the aquarium hobby.

Pros:
-It is bright. Very bright. Lights up the room I have it in and illuminates the tank in a way I didn't even know was possible.
-Colors pop. Sure, I knew that it being bright would make the fish more visible, but the colors really stand out. My lemon tetra look the way I expected them to, finally. My rainbow cichlid glows. It's really great.
-Plant growth can only get better. Coming from the world of tubes and bulbs has been a slow process and this was my last tank to get the make over, but this thing looks like it will definitely grow some plants.

Cons:
-The mounting bracket system sucks.The sides for the plastic pieces are weird and they don't slide very well. To keep it steady and in place they have screws you need to tighten down. The plastic they use for the brackets looks and feels terrible - I am sure this piece will break down and fall apart WAY before the light stops working. Gross.