Cichlid Lighting

[bradlgt21]

I am looking for a lighting setup to bring out reds in red fin comps, yellows in gold head comps and some blues in Juli Regani and neolamp. cylind.

What bulbs should I run to bring out the reds and yellows without losing blues, so I guess I am looking for a all around good color bulb. Not worried about plant growth since it's going to be fish only.

Also what is a good wattage over a 55? Haven't purchased anything yet as I want to be sure I am getting the right stuff first time around for the best price.

Stock list plan is
Juli Regani
alto calvus/comps
syno petricola
and maybe
neolamp. cylindricus
and or
Neolamp. Furcifer

 

[Nolapete]

lightbulbsdirect.com has a 9325K bulb that is really nice. It's not quite as white as 10K bulbs, so you get a better spectrum for what you're looking for.

A regular phillips 6500K bulb is a good next choice. I'd just stick 2 4' shop lights over the tank with the 6500K's to start and see if you like them. You're probably looking at $30 for bulbs and the two lights.

ahsupply.com has good retrofit kits.

 

[bradlgt21]

Yeah I was thinking of doing AH supply, 2 36 watt kits probably would cover the tank well, just didn't know which bulb I should get. I read 50/50 bulbs go well with cichlid tanks but after looking at some charts look like they do most for blue fish, 6700k had the best overall , I saw that 9325 bulb and it looked really good for yellow and red, how would that and a say antic go together, best of both spectrums. Would it be so different to be a bad thing?

 

[bradlgt21]

Thanks for the suggestions I looked into it and I can get a 48" shop light for like $18 at home depot. Runs off 40watt t-12 bulbs. So then I figured I can run a GE 9325 bulb and a GE Full Spectrum bulb. Both I found at drs. foster and smith which is pretty local get everything next day. When I was trying to compare spectrum charts they complimented each other very well. Where one bulb was lacking the other bulb was strong. Anyone have this setup or want to chime in feel free.

 

[Pittbull]

Yeah that sounds good just be careful you are on the way to an algae bloom i use coralife compact flor 10K and actinic on all my setups and my Tang fish look good..