shop light question [Archive]

misplacedsooner

10-13-2007, 02:09 PM

i have a canopy being built for my 125 gal. tank and am planning on putting a 4 bulb shop light inside. the light is 4 ft. are there any bulbs at lowes that would work well like maybe daylight? or should i put in 2 different kinds? this will not be a planted tank. andrew or someone help por favor.

ElijahTurtle

10-13-2007, 02:39 PM

If it's not planted, it won't realy matter wether or not it's a "daylight" spectrum bulb. There are other type bulbs that might enhance the colors of the fish better than a daylight bulb in a fish only tank.

misplacedsooner

10-13-2007, 03:30 PM

yeah, thats what im looking for, something to enhance the central american cichlid colors and still have plenty of light but not so bright that it grows algea like crazy. my large centrals are not very nice with plants, tend to uproot and eat them.

poel_19

10-13-2007, 03:52 PM

10,00k bulbs make the colors pop!! some people also mix in actinic bulbs to bring out the blues on some cichlids even more

misplacedsooner

10-13-2007, 06:19 PM

can these be obtained at lowes??

poel_19

10-13-2007, 06:31 PM

i know they have daylight spectrum that supposedly represents noon day sun, it doesn't specify what K range its in.

poel_19

10-13-2007, 06:34 PM

look for bulbs in the blue spectrum range as opposed the the aquaarium bulbs which is a 6700k bulb thats pretty dark; more in the green spectrum. Our eyes register the blue spectrum more efficiently than the others..

rolloffhill

10-14-2007, 10:45 AM

10,00k bulbs make the colors pop!! some people also mix in actinic bulbs to bring out the blues on some cichlids even more

Yes, yes they do....:D

AndrewH

10-14-2007, 11:58 PM

To my knowledge Lowes and HD only carry tubes up to 6500 K. For anything higher you'd need to go to a LFS or order them online.

8,500 K - 32W - 48" - T8 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4479)
10,000 K - 32W - 48" - T8 (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=4495)

From what I've been hearing, the cichlids display better colors under the higher K ratings. I've heard as high as 18,000 K, but I would recommend starting with a 10,000 K and going higher later on if that still doesn't suite you.

kewlkatdady

10-16-2007, 10:42 AM

10K or a 50/50 is all you'll need.