New Tank

[pix1]

Just picked up the new tank and its huge, need to spend the weekend cleaning it and getting it ready. It has 4 t8 tubes that need to be replaced they are 30w and 36 inches. What would be the best setup of bulbs to bring out fish colours.

 

[Blubble37]

well black gravel and a black background does the job nicely

 

[pix1]

well black gravel and a black background does the job nicely

Ive got black background and are gonna use play sand but i need new bulbs so wanted to know which ones are best to bring out fish colour.

 

[elisew]

well black gravel and a black background does the job nicely

Ive got black background and are gonna use play sand but i need new bulbs so wanted to know which ones are best to bring out fish colour.

Sand is a better option than gravel for a malawi/mbuna setup as the fish love to sift through it

What`s the size of the tank? I personally wouldn`t have thought you would need 4 tubes as the malawi/mbuna setups don`t generally have plants so you wouldn`t need lots of light for that and also a lot of light can cause algae which isn`t nice if it begins to get out of control. It`s up to you at the end of the day but ither way....whether you use 2 or 4 tubes the marine white tubes are really good for bringing out the colours of the fish

 

[pix1]

well black gravel and a black background does the job nicely

Ive got black background and are gonna use play sand but i need new bulbs so wanted to know which ones are best to bring out fish colour.

Sand is a better option than gravel for a malawi/mbuna setup as the fish love to sift through it

What`s the size of the tank? I personally wouldn`t have thought you would need 4 tubes as the malawi/mbuna setups don`t generally have plants so you wouldn`t need lots of light for that and also a lot of light can cause algae which isn`t nice if it begins to get out of control. It`s up to you at the end of the day but ither way....whether you use 2 or 4 tubes the marine white tubes are really good for bringing out the colours of the fish

The tank is 350l and its about 4x2x2 its to replace my 180l that i was advised was too small. The bulbs are the same as the 180 which has got a power glo and a aqua.glo in so i might just run the power glo and look at a marine white to go with it. I will post some pictures when it is up and running.

 

[markandhisfish]

you my want to doubole check your measurements on the tank . if it is 4x2x2 its better than you thought as my tank is 4x2x2 and thats 450L not 350

for youir tubes altho the marine whiote lisa reccomended will give great colour rendering , dont get ripped off paying stupid prices for "speciaqlist" aquarium tubers . these will do the exact same job just as well for half of the cost .
http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/De-Luxe-Pro-90_2/4-Foot-36W-965-De-Luxe-Pro-Philips-36-Watt


2 of these will be more than enough for a malawi tank .

 

[pix1]

you my want to doubole check your measurements on the tank . if it is 4x2x2 its better than you thought as my tank is 4x2x2 and thats 450L not 350

for youir tubes altho the marine whiote lisa reccomended will give great colour rendering , dont get ripped off paying stupid prices for "speciaqlist" aquarium tubers . these will do the exact same job just as well for half of the cost .
http/www.lampspecs.co.uk/Light-Bulbs-Tubes/De-Luxe-Pro-90_2/4-Foot-36W-965-De-Luxe-Pro-Philips-36-Watt


2 of these will be more than enough for a malawi tank .

Yeah its slightly smaller than that and is 350l. The bulbs you listed are 36w and mine are 30w do they do the same bulb in a 30w i couldnt see one. I cant believe how cheap they are.

 

[markandhisfish]

the 36w wont be a problem depending on the max wattage your light unit can handle . if its too high im pretty sure tou can get em in several wattages