Reddit mentions of Finnex Stingray Aquarium LED Light, 16-Inch

5.5 gallon tank from petco - 12 dollars (or if you can go today 10 gallon for 10 dollars plus tax)

Heater - 12 to 15 dollars (I like this one but there is also this one here)

Filter - 13 dollars to 25 dollars (It may need baffled or This one though it's a bit more expensive but I prefer it just remember a filter is just something to push water through it. Also can look into sponge filters)

Substrate - 0 for bare bottom or 10 dollars for some cheap sand at petco This sand to be exact.

Light - 42 dollars This is what I'd buy but you can find cheaper or just do grow lights in little plug ins

I'd keep at least 30 for plants but you can get some cheaper live plants or maybe find some cuttings for free.

Total is 47 dollars for a proper set up not including plants since I don't know what you can do in your area. With my over priced light for your set up it's 89

Aside from thanking everyone who replied, I want to take the time to update on whats going on.

After I posted, I was leaning into purchasing a Fluval Spec V to house Fishy. 170). I started looking for other options such as buying another tank, buying at a LFS or commissioning a tank.

A reputable tank maker quoted me US$45.00 to make a 15 Gallon tank, with the following dimension 16.25''x16.25''x13.25'' (LxWxH) made with .88 mm glass or aprox 1/3''.

In turn, I would have to buy a filter, a heater and light (as well as substrate and plants). Here is what Im leaning towards, advice would be very much appreciated, as its my first tank in about 10 years:

Heater: Eheim 25 watt.


Filter: Aquaclear HOB Power Filter 20.



Light: Finnex Stingray 16'.

An acquaintance suggested I buy this filter instead:

Aquaclear Power Head + Aquaclear Powerhead Attachment.

Even suggested I fit my tank with two of those instead of the HOB filter.

Being a noob, I dont really know much about those types of filters.

For plants Im thinking something like this:

Fluval Anubias 12'.

Fluval Lizard Tail.

Substrate: Im looking forward to adding real plants in the future.

Soil - ADA Africana.

Sand - something along that color.

I already own an APC UPS, similar to this one or even the same one (i dont really remember).

Again, any tips or suggestions are welcome.

It's been a while since I removed the built-in light fixture, but I believe it came out cleanly by removing a few screws.

Maybe somebody else can advise if this wasn't appropriate, but I just used some aquarium silicone sealant to affix the new fixture to the inner roof of the hood afterwards. Seems pretty solid but it's only been four months. At least I don't have 120v dangling above my tank anymore in case it does fall, though.

16" Finnex Stingray, by the way. Now I'm just waiting for the pump to die so I can replace the whole filter.

A standard 5.5 gallon would be my choice. You can outfit it with a glass top and LED lighting, along with the filter and heater of your choice.

If you're looking for a kit, the Fluval Spec V is a reasonable choice. The filter is often said to be a bit too much flow for fighters; but it's not hard to modify it to reduce the power of the jet.

Thanks for the quick response! I might hold off on the CO2 then and add it in the future when I become more experienced. I do have a piece of driftwood from my fluval edge 6 gallon that I can use instead of the seiryu stones. As for the betta, I have seen some people successfully keep it with RCS but I'm still deciding on if I want to risk it or not.

Some questions about lighting - how does the stock light for the fluval spec v fare for keeping low light plants? It could save some money and I could hold off on buying a finnex light for now. If that won't work, I also have looked into this finnex stingray , a cheaper option. Will the stingray suffice for keeping monte carlo with the CO2 system I was planning to use?

http://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Stingray-Aquarium-Light-16-Inch/dp/B00NAFQ97A

Slightly less light output/PAR than the Planted+, at a much more reasonable price. I use a 20" one on my 10-gallon low-tech (dirted with only Excel dosing) and have had great success.

Here are some pictures of someone using a 16" Stingray on a 5.5-gallon tank.

Ok I will leave it in the small coral tank for now and turn off the 240 gph powerhead and plant light all together. That will leave a 5-20 Gallon AquaClear HOB filter and the finnex light only. https://www.amazon.com/Finnex-Stingray-Aquarium-Light-16-Inch/dp/B00NAFQ97A

Do you think it will be enough light and flow in a 5.5 gallon tank for them? It was opening the pink xenia.

Also, do I need to do water changes with no fish in the tank or should I just clean the filter occasionally?

Finally, Thank you for all the help.