Lighting recommendation

[Aaronb]

I have a 210 gallon fish only aquarium. Mainly CA/SA cichlids. I was curious what would be the best bulbs to really bring out the colors of the fish and make the overall tank look great. I currently have a 4 ft T12 2 bulb fixture. I can probably switch to a different fixture if needed. I'd prefer to keep the one I have if possible. Thanks.

 

[BigJim]

The T12 bulbs may limit your selection a bit, but a simple daylight spectrum bulb from the hardware store coupled with ColorMax type of bulb (roseate I think) should do well on your tank.

 

[Aaronb]

Thanks. Do they make either one in a t12?

 

[BigJim]

ColorMax: ColorMAX Fluorescent Lamp > 15" (14 W)

You should be able to walk into any Home Depot or Menards and get a daylight spectrum 48" T12 bulb.

 

[Aaronb]

Thanks. Would it be too much to use 2 T12 daylight bulbs plus a t5 or t8 dual fixture with a colormax and power-glo 18000k bulb?

 

[BigJim]

I think you'd be ok. That's a big tank to light with one 4ft fixture.

 

[Aaronb]

Thanks again. That's what I was thinking when I bought the fixture, but it actually looks surprisingly well lit. I have it in a canopy I built 1 foot above the water level so the light spreads enough to make it to the ends. The fish do look nicer closer to the surface though. Would the power-glo be a good choice or just 2 colormax?

 

[Aaronb]

I do kind of like the purple tint to the water.

 

[Aaronb]

What size and how many bulbs is a good recommendation for a 210 gallon fish only aquarium?

 

[mfdrookie516]

I like actinic bulbs. I had a 10,000k and actinic on my 150g mbuna tank. It really made the colors show on the fish, gave the water a nice blue look, and didn't cause any algae issues... I wouldn't go with more than 2 bulbs. Here's what my 150 looked like with a daylight and actinic.

 

[Aaronb]

That looks pretty good. Also would it cause problems to use black lights as moon lights?