Lighting the african tank...

[echoofformless]

Being as though this is my first non-planted tank, I was wondering what some of you have done to really bring out the colors and simulate the deeper blue waters of african lakes.

I am going to be using a two bulb n/o fluorescent fixture, and for some reason I started toying with the idea of going with higher kelvin temps - possibly even making one of the bulbs actinic. Does anyone do this? Is that going too far?

What about the Hagen Marine-Glo?

What is everyone using to light their african tanks?

 

[YoFishboy]

That is exactly what I do in my african show tanks.....I use 50/50 reef bulbs that are a combination of 6000 to 6500 K and actinic. I have had good luck with Zoo Med and Coralife. I have not used Marine-glo bulbs myself. With a 2 bulb fixture, you may want to experiment with an actinic and a higher kelvin rated bulb.

 

[rbell219]

Ditto---currently I only have a single fixture bulb with a 50/50. I used to use shop lights and I'd use one daylight and one actinic--just like a marine tank. I've tried so many combinations over the yrs and this looks the best imo. I'm saving to upgrade my africans to a 130 watt power compact 50/50 with moonlight setup.

 

[slowlyburn]

I found that the brighter the lights on my 150g the less I see my fish... I use a single 4ft 6500k bulb and black lights at night. They are so active under blacklights.

 

[rbell219]

Man it's been awhile since I've read a book on Rift Lake fish and I'm doubting myself as I type, but I think most of yours are deeper water fish---usually found near the bottom of the lakes especially while feeding. That's why you don't see them as much under bright lights.
Still----mine have always been active in my 55, but I've never been over 80 watts.

 

[imnotlistening]

don't use black lights the fish hate it