Lighting

[community begginer]

hay guys. just thinking. for my tank i have a 3 foot duoble tubed reflector. was thinking,
is it possible or would it be better if i added a uv black tube as the back tube?? the front will be a sunlight white..
the reason for this is i have been told that it would help bring out the colours of my neon tetras in my tank. im not sure
if this true and rather then spend $25 on a tube that i find out wont do anything to enhance the tank i thaught id confide in you guys first.
what is your say?? good idea or forget it??
thanx a million up front,
community

 

[community begginer]

no suggestions guys? please anyone......

 

[Rooster]

First instinct is "forget it" neons et al reflect light, they dont floures as would be emphasised by black light (ultra-violet)

 

[raptorrex]

black light can often make your tank lool murky! as it highlights all the suspended partials in the water.

 

[community begginer]

so do u think a blue light would be in order?
or green for teh plants??
i have no clue
community

 

[raptorrex]

well for looks, a beauty light is good, not sure but i think its a pinky purple colour. for growing plants a blue plant light will do, there are many different ones, so advice from the retailer will be needed.

 

[Rooster]

Its a very personal thing... some folk like the purple light ala "grolux" which IS good for plants and emphasises fish colour, but to my mind looks "wrong"

You could go "all white" with standard tubes, but this is no good for plants.

White "aquarium" tubes ARE good for fish colours, but less so for plants.

I decided to do a little mixing... I use a floraglo (purpleish plant friendly) with a powerglo at the front... plants grow like heck, and overall the lights looks more white...

Its horses for courses, ask around your mates see if you could borrow some spare tubes, or just buy the one aquarium tube and experiment with "normal" lamps... these come in white, warm white, daylight.... all about £1 each.

 

[Robris]

I bought a Aqua One light for my little 7 gal tank and it came with a purple/pinky light 8w light tube, I really thought it was odd because I had only seen blue and white before lol

 

[community begginer]

yeah i think there is blue, white, green, purple, red and aqua. that i have seen so far. green supposedly helps plant growth or sumfing. maybe i should get that. but i thaught blue or uv would help bring out the colours of my neons and help them stand out more in the tank. i think ill go with blue. that sounds good.

 

[toofawon]

Hi, i use a Trocal super colour plus as my only light and i find that it does pretty much what it says on the box as far as enhancing the colour of my fishes, encouraging plant growth and helping inhibit algae goes. It cost about £17 for an 18" 15 watt tube.
I am very happy with it, but it does have an ever so slightly reddish tinge but in conjuction with a daylight tube i guess it wouldn't be noticable at all.


EXTRACT FROM:

http/www.dennerle.de/en/TrocalSuperColorPlus.htm

TROCAL-SUPERCOLOR-PLUS
Highly effective for red, blue and orange

* Visual colour impression: Brings out the red, orange and blue colours of fish particularly vividly. Reddish plant colours appear more brilliant.
* Intensifies the colours of your fish and plants
* Tried and tested, state-of-the-art lamp technology
* Promotes plant growth
* With strong TROCAL Color Peaks in the red and blue range for intensive, radiant colours
* Light spectrum with “algae gaps“
* With UV-STOP protective foil - prevents algae growth
* The foil also serves as an effective means of protection against glass splinters, should the glass break
* Activates chlorophyll synthesis
* Diameter of 26 mm = 10% less power consumption than 38 mm lamps. At the same time, 10% more light than 38 mm lamps
* Fits all standard aquarium lights
* Operation possible with all conventional and electronic ballasts
* Can be combined with all TROCAL light colours