Buying 4x t5ho bulbs what colors should I get?

[CleverBs]

I have a 4x 80w t5ho fixture over my 220g. Its actually a 3x 250w Metalhide 4x 80w t5ho fixture but I wont be using the Metal Halides.

Anyways, I need new bulbs for it. The tank is going to have a few plants in it mainly just low maint. plants like Amazon swords and stuff. I am trying to get fish with a bit of color so I want the light to bring that out. I found a selling on ebay that has "Freshwater Pink" he says its to bring out the color of fish. I was thinking maybe doing 2x 6500k and 2x Pinks or 3x 6500k and 1x Pink what do you all think? I think the pink would be good because the geophagus albanias and Altifrons have a lot of red in them and the pink bulb should bring that out.

 

[Delapool]

I have 2 x 10000k and 2 x FW pinks (assume same) on mine for planted.

The fixture came with the 10000k bulbs. Was going to drop down closer to 6500k next set of bulbs.

 

[CleverBs]

I decided to get 4x6500k the tank is a amazon tank so I wanted to give it that red warm look and it worked well.

 

[Delapool]

If you swapped out for any red bulbs, would that be too much red do you think? Still working through bulb selection here and don't want to go too red.

 

[CleverBs]

yeah honestly I would say it wouldnt be very appealing. The 4x 6500k feels pretty dark and it looks very warm. In person theres just not a lot of light imo. However I come from the Saltwater world where I was rocking 4x actinics and 3x 250w 20,000k Metal Halides so I am used to really bright and well lit tanks.

Now the driftwood is all fresh so I know that a lot of the darkness is from tanins in the water and that will fade some over time from water changes.

 

[FishFlow]

Interesting. I'm betting the black painted background is a main factor.

Only a 100g tank. But this is just 3 4' T12 40W 6500K fluorescent lights.

 

[FishFlow]

When I went to 4' T5HO fixture.
This fixture has 3 4' bulbs. 2 6500k, 1 10,000k. I'm assuming all 3 were on in this pic.

 

[FishFlow]

For me 4' on a 5' tank wasn't enough.. 5' T5ho
This fixture has 4 5' bulbs. I wish to say 2 6500, and 2 10,000.

 

[FishFlow]

Maybe better picture?

 

[CleverBs]

I think the issue with the darkness of my tank is a mix of black background, Tannin stained water, and cloudy water from the cycle