Lighting for cichlid tank.

[tetrafan]

Hello, I was wondering if there was a light that would optimize the colors of cichlids?

 

[garfy]

I use a mixture of 2 lights.I have 1 daylight bulb and 1 marine bulb and it works well.

 

[joel618]

I use a mixture of 2 lights.I have 1 daylight bulb and 1 marine bulb and it works well.

Same here.

 

[Illusion447]

I used to use the same as the 2 above, but have since went back to 1 10,000K daylight and 6,500K Grow light. The blue gives a good shimmer to the fish but color just wasn't natural, If you looking to bring out color in a under developed fish then i suppose that is the right choice. But its on you to see, Depends on what fish you like to keep, If they are colorless fish then the blue is unnecessary.

 

[KonvictKeeper]

I use one 8,000K full spectrum daylight bulb and my tank looks great.

 

[kelbaker79]

Thanks for the info, I was curious as well!

 

[Meave]

I'm using LED lights, have 2 sets, and keep one on the blue setting, looks great!

 

[Squall]

I use a mixture of 2 lights.I have 1 daylight bulb and 1 marine bulb and it works well.

Can you please elaborate on this setup?

 

[TankBoss]

I used the white tube next to the blue actinic and my fishes colors were washed out. I replaced the white with a warmer 57000k? I think that is the spectrum...much better. That's in a 55 galling tank using two four foot t5 lights.

 

[Dreamingdragon]

Night light. Black light. I would say but I think that is not the main reason

 

[Aspencer]

I used the white tube next to the blue actinic and my fishes colors were washed out. I replaced the white with a warmer 57000k? I think that is the spectrum...much better. That's in a 55 galling tank using two four foot t5 lights.

Any algae problems...what is your light period?

 

[BillD]

if you want good natural coloration, then try to use tubes with high CRI values. The closer to 100 the better the color rendition will be. You have to check the individual tubes as tubes of the same color temp from different manufacturers can have very different CRIs. As an example, The GE t8 6500K tube has a CRI of around 75, while the Philips is in the 90s.

 

[TankBoss]

Any algae problems...what is your light period?

Yes. Algae will be more of an issue than usual if you keep these lights on for long periods each day. I turn my lights on when viewing or showing my tank only.

 

[DerekMartinez]

I use 2 50/50 Coralife t8 lights ans it looks just fine to me.