My fish's colors

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victimizati0n

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Feb 23, 2004
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Hey everyone.

I have a 20 gallon tank, and my fish were like a pale color (more noticibly the white clouds) and we thought it was the gravel, because it was white, and the tank was pretty bright. We changed the gravel to a darker color, and the fish are still pretty pale. I took the fish out of my 55 gallon tank, and they have absoluty beautiful colors, but the ones in my tank dont.

The only thing i can think of is that the tank is much brighter then the other tank. The 55 gallon has like a bluish tint light, the 20 gallon has like a bright white light.

Right now, I cant find a light bulb that fits my size (T-8) and makes fish have nice colors. Will a T-12 light work? Also, what is the BEST light to make the fish's colors better?

I don't want to use the food, because we kinda have a "system" and it would totally mess it up.

Thanks for the help!!!
 
Check your water parameters

Test your water (nitrates, etc.) to check if you have a water quality problem. A lot of times fish lose their color when the water isn't just right.

Good luck
 
tpl*co said:
Test your water (nitrates, etc.) to check if you have a water quality problem. A lot of times fish lose their color when the water isn't just right.

Good luck
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I forgot to mention:

When I turn the lights off they get all of their color back.

I will check the levels.. give me a sec.
 
sounds like your current lights are probably soft white or cool white bulbs, which tends to give off a slight yellowish tint that washes out colors. You'll want something in the higher kelvin range that gives off a much more true or even bluish white.

Most LFS should have T8 fluorescent tubes in the higher kelvin ranges. Hagen makes several called Aqua-Glo, Life-Glo, and Power-Glo, all of which should provide better color for fish and plants.
 
phanmc said:
sounds like your current lights are probably soft white or cool white bulbs, which tends to give off a slight yellowish tint that washes out colors. You'll want something in the higher kelvin range that gives off a much more true or even bluish white.

Most LFS should have T8 fluorescent tubes in the higher kelvin ranges. Hagen makes several called Aqua-Glo, Life-Glo, and Power-Glo, all of which should provide better color for fish and plants.
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Thanks. If i'm not mistaken, I have 5500K bulbs in it. What kelvin range do I want? Also, what color should I get? One with a bluish tint to it?

I always got the impression that the higher the K was, the brighter the light would be.
 
5500k is pretty good, close to natural sunlight at noon (which is closer to 6000k). What kind of lighting is in your 55 gallon tank?

Color temperature doesn't determine the brightness of a tube (lumen does), it determines the color shift and resolution. something with a low kelvin rating will give off a more yellowish or pinkish tint while high kelvin rating will give off a whiter color. The whiter the light, the more crisp and vibrant the colors.

I use the Power-Glo from Hagen which is 18,000k, and it brings out the color of my tank nicely. Its a very clear white with maybe a hint of blue to it.
 
phanmc said:
5500k is pretty good, close to natural sunlight at noon (which is closer to 6000k). What kind of lighting is in your 55 gallon tank?

Color temperature doesn't determine the brightness of a tube (lumen does), it determines the color shift and resolution. something with a low kelvin rating will give off a more yellowish or pinkish tint while high kelvin rating will give off a whiter color. The whiter the light, the more crisp and vibrant the colors.

I use the Power-Glo from Hagen which is 18,000k, and it brings out the color of my tank nicely. Its a very clear white with maybe a hint of blue to it.
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Not sure about the 55.. all i know is that it looks kinda blue-ish.

The light fixture is pretty old, and we had a hard time getting the light to lightup after we cleaned it, so i dont really want to touch it.

I will see if the LFS has any high K' light's.

Also, when the light is on, the fish seem to hide, which dont when the light isnt on. (I try to turn the room lights on so they arent going from dark to light).
 
fluorescent tubes also have a rating called CRI or color rendering index. get the bulb with thie highest possible CRI and colors will look brighter.
 
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