African Question

[paradigmcubed]

I want to know whether any of you guys know how to best show my African Cichlids colors. Right now they are housed in a 125 gallon with white crushed coral substrate. The backing on the tank is black. I also have a 48" light running across the top. The problem is that I seem to be washing the Africans colors out. I am thinking of possibly getting a colored cover for my light or maybe black gravel to go on top of the substrate I already have. Have any of you guys used a light cover before? I've got a blue color theme at the moment, but the blue isn't really coming out at all. For example my Cobalt Cichlids look almost pink, but when I turn the light of completely they look more blue. I guess I need more of a contrast to bring out there colors. Any ideas or opinions would be great.

Thanks

[scott]

I noticed in my SA/CA tanks a change in light spectrum really brought out different colors. I have been using the trichromatic bulbs. At first it looked really weird because the light is more of blue green but once you get used to it it is awesome. I really like it.

[jimbo]

You could use a so called “actinic” lamp, those lamps are often used in marine tanks. They bring out the blue colors (instead of the pink) far more than any other lamp. The best place for this lamp is not in the middle of the tank but at the front as far as possible.

Jimmy

[Verse914]

I use actinic lights on my 75gallon along with two 48" Hagen Powerglos. It makes the tank really bright and brings out the fish's color...heres a pic...
http://www.gladiator914.homestead.com/files/tankfront1.jpg

[dbcb314]

i use the light that comes with the hood

[paradigmcubed]

Verse, that is exactly the color I'm going for. Your Hagen Powerglos don't emit a colored light right? Also, how many Actinic Bulbs do you have on your tank?

Thanks all of you!

[Verse914]

I have two hagen 48" powerglos, and two 21" UR Actinic bulbs. And no, none of my lights emit a color to them...theyre more of a bright "white"

[paradigmcubed]

I'm guessing you have a blue background. One website I went to said those types of lights emit a blue color, I guess it varies and you can chose what you want.

[Verse914]

yes i have a blue background.

[paradigmcubed]

I found a couple of lights, can anyone recommend to me.

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_818.shtml
This is an actinic light with a blue color emitted

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_844.shtml
20,000 k

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_844.shtml
25% Actinic 75% Daylight

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_805.shtml

Almost all the actinic lights I have found emit blue...

Thanks!

[paradigmcubed]

Or this..

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_793.shtml

Anyone have experience with any of these I listed?

Any experience with Trichromatic bulbs?

http://www.petsmart.com/products/product_14215.shtml

[paradigmcubed]

I think I'll just order 2 and see which is best, then return one.

[Verse914]

Have you checked out www.petsolutions.com ? They usually have the best prices on the internet. If you do, look into the Hagen Powerglo bulbs...I use them and love them.

[paradigmcubed]

Since I have only 1 48" light fixture right now and I want the best looks for my fish would you get the actinic lights or the hagen powerglo?

http://www.petsolutions.com/cgi-bin/cgiitmls?m=ThisP&p=1044.120000&l=1

I'm assuming this is what you have?

Thanks!

[paradigmcubed]

I got the Hagen Powerglos, only to find out they won't fit my ballast. I have a ballast that only takes t8 and hagen's are t12. I've talked with some people and t8 is the new technology coming in, they'll be phasing t12 lights out. The only problem is I can't find a t8 aquarium bulb, what I had on it was a Phillips softlight (no wonder my fish didn't show up). I got the ballast from a friend as a gift. If anyone knows of a t8 aquarium bulb please give me the link.

Thanks

[wayne]

Surely you can improve the fishs colours by darkening the colour of the substrate, and reducing the light intensity. In that photo even verves fish look a little washed out. I use a 10000K spectrum light and I'm pretty happy with my colours, but it's weakly lit compared to many

[wayne]

Oh and T5's are the new technology, but they're so bright they're no use at all for this job. Can't you get Hagens in T8? The catalogue says they make T8's and T10 powerGlos

[paradigmcubed]

Sorry, I was told me t8's were new. They also told me the t10 hagen powerglo I have (I thought it was a t12) wouldn't work with a t8 ballast, but it does. Therefore I have no problems and the new lights are working great! Thanks for all your help!