Question about tank lighting!

Candycat21

Senior Member
Dec 17, 2004
308
0
0
43
Charlotte, NC
Hi guys.

Wonder if anyone could give me some helpful tips or suggestions.
I am looking to change the lighting in my tank. I've seen the bulbs that when lit give a bluish tint to the tank and brings out certain colours in the fish making them look brighter. Does anyone know what bulb this is? I don't have live plants at all.
I'm just looking for a bulb that will give a slight blue tint to the water and magnify my fishes colours...I dont want it to be overwhelming.
I saw the marine glo bulbs, but not sure if that's the right one.
I'll be lighting a 46g oceanic bow so what wattage would be best?
Please help.
Thanks a bunch!
Candice
 
Check out the Kelvin ratings on the bulbs you see at the store, which will give you an idea of how 'blue' the bulb will appear; keep in mind, everyone sees light slightly differently. Higher numbers indicate a bluer colour - a 5000K bulb will look slightly yellow (like sunlight), 7600K may look 'crisp'; more white than yellow. A 10000K bulb is blueish white. It's possible you saw an actinic bulb - it's a BLUE bulb, but not full/broad spectrum, that (AFAIK) provides light specifically in a particular range (somewhere between 440-470nm I believe). It's incredibly blue, and I've read that it really makes the colours of some marine fish and corals 'pop'. I wouldn't want to light a FW tank with just actinic because it's not full-spectrum and may not meet the needs of the fish.
 
AquariaCentral.com