Kelvin rating

[jeffro426]

I finished my canopy last night and put it on today and im kinda unhappy with my lights(2 40 watts 48")...there PLENTY bright, but they really dont look as nice as my small 15 watt one(GE Aquarays). My Mbuna look really washed out and their colors arent nearly as bright. I think they have a 6500K rating...so should i go up or down in kelvin rating...i just want something to show off their beautiful colors more so than these "daylight" bulbs are doing. Ive looked everywhere but nobody sells the aquaray ones around me.

[jeffro426]

Also, are those plant/aquarium bulbs at like walmart/lowes and good?

[Slappy*McFish]

I found that a combination of the GE Aquarays freshwater/saltwater and a 5000-6700K bulb(GE Chroma50, Philips Natural Color, or Daylight Deluxe) looks best. All of those bulbs can be found at any one of several home improvement centers, with the exception of the Aquarays. Your LFS can order you one of those. The plant/aquarium bulbs don't look very good, imo...very reddish color.