Food Coloring for that Deep Ocean effect?

[beviking]

Is food coloring safe to add to the aquarium? No, I'm not interested in doing so, but the question came to mind while coloring eggs. I thought, "Why spend $ on lighting that is going to make the water look a certain way when a few drops of color will do?". Of course, to remove the color would be a bit more difficult than switching a switch, but for the sake of curiosity...? You could add:

blue- for the ocean effect
green- for the deep lake effect
yellow- for the public swimming area effect
orange (or purple)- for the "old timers" psychedelic effect
red- for the freshly fed live feed ripped to shreds by sharks effect (when you only have a peaceful community tank!)

 

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

i was wondering about that also, but i wasnt doing eggs. i think i was probably putting a walmart bad under my lights (for blue color) and i thought... maybe theres an easier way. but i didnt try it cuz its not worth my fishes lives...

 

[cdawson]

your filter media would probably take the colouring out pretty quickly.

 

[Sharyl C]

I've never done it...but my guess would be that its not good for the fish in the long run. You may not see the effects right away - but it would probably cause trouble down the road.

IMO to - food coloring blue and green water wouldn't really look like deep ocean or lake. Try turning your current tank lights off...thats closer to what it looks like

Now if we can find a way to make that bloody water look with out special lights and/or dye...we could make millions! lol

 

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

walmart bag...... not walmart bad..... .......

 

[Bristlenose Chuck]

Originally posted by beviking
yellow- for the public swimming area effect

LOL

 

[isaac newton]

if ur trying to grow plants isnt that bad since the plastic bag is absorbing 40 percent of the light? (estimate)

 

[K_S_W_I_S_S]

i only use it at night when its "nighttime".... my fish come out and do what they would usually do when the lights were off.. even my pictus cats come out....

 

[serjuanca888]

food coloring wont hurt fish, this topic came up in a fish magazine once, i think you would get a more natural look with a blackwater extract tho.

 

[beviking]

Yeah but if I want black water I'll just turn off all the light!