Lighting in a cichlid tank

X

XxlOaF

AC Members
Feb 23, 2005
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0
Olean, NY
Im in the process of setting up my mbuna tank and on the hood it has two spots for 20" light strips, they are 17w 18" bulbs. The tank is a 44 gallon pentagon so it is semi-tall.

Currently I have one strip with a Coral Sun Actinic 420 bulb, I like it but its very purpleish, not exactly the color I envisioned. If I added another strip with another blub do you think it would be over kill for light in the tank? I know the cichlids like darker lighting but I want to be able to see their colors.

I already have a 17w "eclipse daylight" bulb that came with the hood, but I didnt like how yellowish it was.
 
Actinic lighting is to simulate deep water light and /or moon light in SW setups. Its good for coral and inverts. Really no effect on cichlids. The daylight bulb would be your best choice. A goodfull spectrum daylight bulb will have the actinic color temp in it anyways.
 
I think im going to try getting the second light strip, and stick the daylight blub in it, or maybe a 10k blub. Ill have to try some things.
 
Hey xxloaf, I just put in some 50/50's. Not too shabby. I get the blues that help with mbuna colors and the 6500k for a bit of algae. Hope that helps.
Dave
 
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