Lighting: how to bring out coloring?

[nanahachi]

Hi all,

I recently moved a Bolivian Ram from my planted tank to my "cichlid tank" so that he could be with my female Bolivian. In the old tank w/compact fl. lighting, his colors really stood out.

However, in the other tank, with my 9325ºK bulb, both rams look kind of blanched. Can I replace the bulb with a different type to make the fish stand out more?

Current inhabitants:
1 pr of Bolivian Rams
2 bamboo shrimp
1 plecco

thanks!!

EDIT:
I foudn this in a thread from a fews days ago and was wondering if anyone had any further comments as well.

Good Power compacts will help, a good spectrum flourecesent and Atinic light should do the trick, the atinics will definitely help.

 

[phanmc]

CF bulbs are more intense than regular fluorescent bulbs, hence the more vibrant colors. However, the kelvin rating does make a difference, do you know what kind of CF bulbs were in your cichlid tank?

Actinic lights are blue, which really brings out the color of fishes that have iridescent scales. It also helps neutralize the yellowish tint given off by most bulbs and increases the contrast.

 

[ashlyjames]

If you have flouroscent lighting placed over a glass cover I would suggest you go to Walmart and pick up a couple of transparent plastic file folders(I like green and they cost less than 99 cents each.) and place them between the light source and the top glass cover. :idea:

hope this helps

Cheers

 

[nanahachi]

do you know what kind of CF bulbs were in your cichlid tank?

oops, i probably wasn't too clear above, sorry.
Planted tank = CF lighting (I don't know what kind of bulbs offhand...it's a JBJ Formosa SS...but I can't recall if its 6,500 or 10,000K...my guess is 6500 though I will check tonight)

Cichild tank = 9325ºK bulb (this hood )

thanks for the info, both of you. I'm looking to replace that 9325 bulb with maybe an Actinic (such as this) but please feel free to make other suggestions.

I'm going to be placing an order in the next day or so, and it would be great to include the bulb in it.

Thanks again for the quick replies!!


EDIT:
In my searching, other tips have been mentioned:
Dark substates help bring out colors
Tetra Colorbits food has been mentioned by some members, as well.