What lighting to use?

[leslie]

Hi Folks,

I have a 65 gallon tank with dimensions 26H X 36L X 18D. Currently I have a Coralife fixture with two bulbs: 10,000K 39W T5 HO and Actinic 39W T5 HO. I don't yet have the discus. Are these bulbs OK or should I switch them out for something else?

Thanks,
Leslie

[TURQ64]

Personally, I'd lose the actinic, and swap them both out for something more in the 6500K range. Just my two cents worth. Or, if you like the colors more artificial, add one gro-lux plant and aquarium bulb.

[billfromreading]

Definately remove the actinic bulb. Actinic bulbs are only used for salt water tanks to simulate lighting conditions at coral reef depths. Although they do not seem bright to us, fish perceive different wavelengths than we do and these bulbs are extremely bright for them.

Having done planted tanks for years, a 6500k bulb would give you a nice warm coloration. A 5600k (a favorite) will make reds and blues really stand out. A 10,000k bulb is very white but will work as well. I wouldn't do anything higher than a 10,000k.

[leslie]

Thanks for the info. I should have swapped them out when I bought the fixture. So much for help from the LFS.