How Do You Get The Best (look) Out Of Your Fish?

[Underwurlde]

Hello,

The fish in my fish tank and my fish tank set up as a whole looks (how can I put it..) dull? Lack lustre? Boring?

In other words, not as good and as vibrant as I believe it should.

How do I know this? Mooching around any LFS tells me that I think that I am doing >something< wrong. I look at the setups there and they literally stand out at you: The water is clear and the any colouration in the tank (esp fish) jump out at you and the whole thing shouts beauty!

I really noticed the difference after purchasing a fighter - in the shop a lovely red colouration, get it home and it suddenly looks a dull brown!

Now I guess it's something simple like trying a different flourescent than the standard one that came with my tank, room lighting, or a better (or possibly no) background....

I'd love some suggestions!

Andy

 

[Chri$]

I use a black background - looks amazing, any coulours stand out. I also upgraded to a freshwater arcadia lamp this has also made a huge difference.

 

[RadaR]

chris is right. Also if you can, see if you can get an Arcadia Original bulb aswell as the freshwater as the combo gives the fish great colours.

 

[Underwurlde]

Guys, thanks so far..

I would never in a million years have gone for a black background, but I'm just itching to try one now.

@RadaR: Let me get this right: You are suggesting I use two bulbs simultaneously; that is to say both the 'Arcadia Original' bulb together with an 'Arcadia Freshwater' bulb?

(Sometimes it can come down to something as simple as this that can make such a huge difference to a set up & it is this kind of info that i'm craving).

Keep the tips coming in....

Regards,

Andy

Thought I'd just add this info:

At the mo my tank has a (proper) shiny photographic background attached - the scene is of some coral with a yellow angel - the colours were nice & vibrant... until stuck on the back of my tank: now it just looks dull (kind of like using a camera to take a picture with not quite enough light and the flash didn't go off)...

It's really quite weird!

Andy

 

[Chri$]

A good way to brighten up dull backgrounds is to use vasaline to stick it on, i have tried it and it works well.

However when you have backgrounds like that it takes the attention off the fish and plants. If you go for black the plants and fish will stand out really well and your eye is drawn to them and not the backing. All the most amazing tanks i have seen have used a black backing

I have just just setup my new 20ukg and have used a black backing and it looks really good, i also upgraded the tube to an arcadia freshwater, there is a huge difference between the standard and the arcadia.

I you have 2 lamps you could use both the freshwater and tropical together as suggested by RadaR - that would give you the best results.

 

[Underwurlde]

Great response, thanks chris.

A good way to brighten up dull backgrounds is to use vasaline to stick it on, i have tried it and it works well.

Indeed I was going to mention that when I first stuck on my background it got wet between it and the surface of the tank resulting in a 'bright area' of the background. It made a hell of a difference and the only reason why I thne did not wet the whole thing was due to the obvious encouragement of a mouldy background. I therefore attach the background to my tank with a strip of continuous sellotape all the way across the top.

So, time, dosh, sprogs, horse, cats, permitting, I shall invest in a freshwater Arcadia lamp and at the same time. have a play around with a black background. (When you said use a black background I must admit that I thought 'Goth Altert! Goth Alert!' )!

Cheers

Andy

If I remember I'll post back my (albeit personal) impressions.

Oh, just a couple more questions...

1) Did you also use Vaseline to apply your black background to your tank, or is there no point in this?

2) I have a small Jewel Record 60 tank, how would I install two bulbs?

Thanks again,

Andy

 

[RadaR]

Have a look at this. Even though this tank is a Rekord 70 it also works with a Rekord 60.
Youve already got one bulb in there so you just need to add another by doing what it says on the link. Any problems you have I suggest you PM BigC.

 

[Chri$]

1) Did you also use Vaseline to apply your black background to your tank, or is there no point in this?

I just used tape and it looks good, no need for vasaline i don't think it would work anyway. I'll try and post a pic later.

 

[Underwurlde]

Cool, thanks mate.

Just off to get an Arcadia bulb. Just got to bide my time & wait for 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' to get distracted...

Andy

 

[Chri$]

Are you adding a second lamp then or just sticking with 1?

 

[Underwurlde]

For now I am going to replace the exisitng Juwel 'Daylight' bulb with an Arcadia Freshwater Bulb (if they match of course). But knowing me I'll get down to the LFS and go for broke and get both (once I no doubt get persuaded to get both)...

Andy

 

[Underwurlde]

Whoo-hoo!

I removed the old backing (coral scene with a yellow angel etc) and changed it to a shiny black backing (again a proper one from my LFS), added some plants and changed the standard Juwel bulb to an Arcadia 'freshwater' bulb makes one hell of a difference!

Now, even my totally newbie, un-scaped plopped in plants tank set up looks great! It may look even better if I add another Arcadia 'Original' bulb as suggested above....

Thanks everyone for such simple yet hugely effective tips!

Andy

 

[Chri$]

Glad you got it sorted