Colormax bulb makes my Threadfin Rainbows look pretty cool, so long as they are swimming near the surface(top 6"), but FWIW I'd rather go with another plant bulb 6700k or 10000k in that slot, and plan to do so when its bulb replacing tyme
Lighting for Fish Viewing
I've re-worked a soft, acidic water tank and am quite happy with the results. It's a moderately low light tank with Excel dosing, so even with PC bulbs I don't need a long photoperiod for the plants. We've decided we'd like to have lighting for the plants, but add fish viewing lighting as well that runs outside the plant photoperiod.
My question is about the lines of color-enhancing bulbs. There are subtly colored fish in this tank such as Diamond Tetras. Do these bulbs, like ColorMax, actually make a difference when viewing the fish?
My question is about the lines of color-enhancing bulbs. There are subtly colored fish in this tank such as Diamond Tetras. Do these bulbs, like ColorMax, actually make a difference when viewing the fish?
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I've never liked the Colormax bulbs much. They cast a dim light in my tanks that just doesn't look natural, and like Cuchulainn said, it doesn't highlight the fish much at all in my experience.
Colormax is not the only thing out there. Hagen makes some that are a significantly higher wattage? Anyone used them?
I haven't been impressed with the Colormax bulbs, however if your fish have subtle blues/iridesence, I highly recommend a 50/50 bulb or an actinic, but only if you have other regular grow bulbs. The 50/50 really brought a lot of color out in my tank with out givinig it too much blue, however alot of cichlid owners run actinics to make their fish colors pop more.
Josh
Josh
I used to only light fish in my old 6' tank
On 4 row i mixed powerglow, marineglow and one white basic bulb.
It did pop colors. I will repeat that setup but 2 row will be for plants. I will share photo of this soon.
I recently removed my actinic, it was indeed great for colors but it also created a lot of algea on the glass.
On 4 row i mixed powerglow, marineglow and one white basic bulb.
It did pop colors. I will repeat that setup but 2 row will be for plants. I will share photo of this soon.
I recently removed my actinic, it was indeed great for colors but it also created a lot of algea on the glass.
I think you need to check out some different bulbs for yourself. Everyone likes different looks. My new fixtures are 6500, 6500 for plants, 10K and actinic for fish viewing in the evening hours. I run 10k, actinic on my Malawi tanks and love the look...
Deluxeman, thanks! I know what actinic looks like and I don't care for it.
Jowlz, I'm aware that my personal taste is mine. But, I really don't want to just dive in and randomly spend money -- since the only way to view the color spectrum is to buy the bulbs -- but listen to others experiences first and then decide what to do. The info on the Colormax bulbs was useful because people pointed to a basic problem -- not enough light with just one.
Jowlz, I'm aware that my personal taste is mine. But, I really don't want to just dive in and randomly spend money -- since the only way to view the color spectrum is to buy the bulbs -- but listen to others experiences first and then decide what to do. The info on the Colormax bulbs was useful because people pointed to a basic problem -- not enough light with just one.
I think you might have taken my post the wrong way. I should have been less vague. What I meant is you should have a look at some tanks at LFS etc to see what you like as far as the fish you have and your preferences, before you waste money on a light you don't like that someone recommendsDeluxeman, thanks! I know what actinic looks like and I don't care for it.
Jowlz, I'm aware that my personal taste is mine. But, I really don't want to just dive in and randomly spend money -- since the only way to view the color spectrum is to buy the bulbs -- but listen to others experiences first and then decide what to do. The info on the Colormax bulbs was useful because people pointed to a basic problem -- not enough light with just one.
There is no local fish store here but if I drive 8 hours I can get to a store that has the bulbs set up. :-D
BTW, I'm really not dumb. :-D Most of us here aren't. And if there were a way for me to see the lights myself I would. Since there isn't I asked.
I don't know why it is necessary to explain but there ya go.
BTW, I'm really not dumb. :-D Most of us here aren't. And if there were a way for me to see the lights myself I would. Since there isn't I asked.
I don't know why it is necessary to explain but there ya go.
Somewhere on this forum there is a tread that has great shots of the same tank with different bulbs. It helped me a lot in the past. This is a great company to order from....if you want 9325 or any bulbs. http://www.lightbulbsdirect.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc? I mix one of these with 10,000 on some of the tanks. Again you just have to find the bulb that gives you the look your after. It might be a little trial and error~~~
Good luck Karen
Good luck Karen
PM'ed you with link to color thread....
ohh, could you post it here as well? I have been wondering the same thing. I am moving away from my coralife fixture (T5NO) to a Zoo med fixture after xmas (t5ho) and no nothing about their bulbs lol
Hope no one gets mad at me....it really is the best example of lighting effects that I have seen.... Hope it helps. Karen
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/lighting/723-9325k-difference.html
http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/lighting/723-9325k-difference.html
Plants use certain wavelengths in the reds and blues, but very little in the yellows and greens. Plant specific bulbs will have a lot of light in the reds and blues, not much in the yellows and greens.
Humans see the yellows and greens better than the reds and blues. A plant specific bulb will make the tank look sort of dim.
I combine a plant bulb with a bulb that looks brighter to me, a Daylight, cool white or similar. This combination makes the fish look their right colors, the tank is not so bright that it glares, and the plants do pretty well, too.
I have one 50/50 and the orange fish look terrible! I have it over my brackish water tank, so the only plants are some algae, and the sun hits the tank enough to grow the algae slowly. My Orange Chromides don't seem to have any color, though, except when the sun is shining in there. I keep telling myself I need to add something like a 6500K or similar. Even a Warm white might do the job! (I don't think I have any of these, though)
Humans see the yellows and greens better than the reds and blues. A plant specific bulb will make the tank look sort of dim.
I combine a plant bulb with a bulb that looks brighter to me, a Daylight, cool white or similar. This combination makes the fish look their right colors, the tank is not so bright that it glares, and the plants do pretty well, too.
I have one 50/50 and the orange fish look terrible! I have it over my brackish water tank, so the only plants are some algae, and the sun hits the tank enough to grow the algae slowly. My Orange Chromides don't seem to have any color, though, except when the sun is shining in there. I keep telling myself I need to add something like a 6500K or similar. Even a Warm white might do the job! (I don't think I have any of these, though)
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
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