Best type of light to show off discus colors???

[Kristin]

Hi Everyone,
I am changing the bulbs in my 80gal. Before I buy the bulbs I was wondering if you Pro's out there had any suggestions on what type of bulb would really bring out the colors in my discus, Any suggestions.
Thanks
Kris

I currently use 2 aqua glow 36in. 30watt T8
Florescent bulb
I also have a small amount of algea in the tank i would like to avoid

[Cowillaggn]

Hi,
In my reef tanks, you CAN'T beat metal halides with actinic T5 HO bulbs. That may not be the same in freshwater, and it would probably send you algae through the roof though...

[Scribbles]

I like 6,700k bulbs.

Chris

[Eddie]

T-5 Colormax bulbs are the best IMO. A slight pink sheen that makes the fishes colors EXPLODE!


Eddie

[plark]

im useing a t-5 (not ho) with 1 atinic and 1 6700k and it looks awesome, the guy at my LFS recommended because the light isn't to bright but you can do some real plants and it doesn't make my fish hide like the T-5 ho did

[DiscusFreakaZoid]

im useing a t-5 (not ho) with 1 atinic and 1 6700k and it looks awesome, the guy at my LFS recommended because the light isn't to bright but you can do some real plants and it doesn't make my fish hide like the T-5 ho did

is that basically a 50/50 bulb half blue half white?

[Eddie]

im useing a t-5 (not ho) with 1 atinic and 1 6700k and it looks awesome, the guy at my LFS recommended because the light isn't to bright but you can do some real plants and it doesn't make my fish hide like the T-5 ho did


is that basically a 50/50 bulb half blue half white?


Actinic (50/50) bulbs are not very good for bringing out colors IME. Try the colormax and you'll never look back. ;) If you think they look good now under actinic, you'll see the colors explode with the colormax.

Eddie

[blkrob]

GE 9325 no wash out and colors seems to be over powering. Now I know this will sound funny, but I really enjoy the way they look in sunlight. I agree antinic does nothing for the dish or plants.

Robert

[smiley]

Actinic (50/50) bulbs are not very good for bringing out colors IME. Try the colormax and you'll never look back. ;) If you think they look good now under actinic, you'll see the colors explode with the colormax.

Eddie

Eddie,

would we need different fixtures for these lights or just change the tubes of our current setup? How can i find that out?

And where is the best place(ofcourse through online order :D ) to get it?

[Eddie]

Eddie,

would we need different fixtures for these lights or just change the tubes of our current setup? How can i find that out?

And where is the best place(ofcourse through online order :D ) to get it?

I'm sure you can get them for any fixture; T5, T8, Power Compact Square/Straight pin even down to the cheap incandescent fixtures.

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/209372/product.web?gdftrk=xh23lc0p/7HDy~g3JgKLc2F8WjkSPfPThXDuUGwUPB4n18Ldhz63QjsVo6c f3c7UwAv9KZblY/T13nNco5mVjtcot6gjJ~9JiobqleUIX04A4uIcx8Sat9wUMdUJ k5GFLM6evPbXmcn7qqolDiIfbEYG0Bl1FEYQ0YkZ2EGSCN0_

http://allmypetsupplies.com/p-1072-colormax-mini-compact-bulb.aspx

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=TYq&q=Colormax+T5+bulb&oq=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=j3B3S_SwOIretgPX8sDLCA&sa=X&oi=product_result_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CBYQrQQwAg

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/6992/product.web