Lighting for BB XBack

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jim barry

jim barry

Goliath Tigerfish
MFK Member
Jun 21, 2006
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U.K
Hi all

Is there any particular lighting that would help show the best colours on a BB XB?

I don't really want to use these underwater tanning lights. I am currently using LED light strips above the tank but they are not the brightest. They give enough light for the tank in general which is 9x4x2 but does not show off the aro unless he swim right underneath one of the strips. 3 white strips and 1 blue strip. Would a red strip help?
Thinking of maybe some kind of spot light that could help.
Any input appreciated.
Only had the aro a few days so still settling. Will post some pics in a week or so once he has coloured up some more.
Thanks
 
9FACE said:
since you are in UK . I would get arcadia light
http://www.arcadia-aquatic.com/arowana-t8-lamp/
Click to expand...
Yeah I have looked at these, not sure what the difference is between the tanning lamp and the underwater light set that they advertise on their web site? Besides this I have not been able to find any stockists of the ones for gold arowana. Stockists only seem to keep the sets for the red arowana which is not very helpful.
 
Am not that expert like many others in here. still based on my experience with 24K Golden Cross back.

Arowana farms claim that Tanning lights enhance develop the color for Arowana, by exposing to light color spectrum mostly equivalent to sunlight, they also claim to expose UV lights (A, B or both), color temperature is an imp factor here. These things varies across various tanning lights available from manufactures, Quian Hu is one that is commonly known across. Tanning exposure is required for prolonged duration, for 3-4 months approx. It is also shared by many that over exposure of tanning is also not good for Arowana and possibility of having dark coloration / drop eye etc are possible. Also, tanning to be done before Arowana matures, it is not that effective after it reaches more than 20 Inches.

There are other types of lights such as 'Miracle Lights' again by Quian Hu, they just enhance the looks of the fish, visually. Nothing that does to the actual color development of Arowana.

I have also seen people placing spot lights on the tank wall externally, light reflect on the fish to give an enhanced look.

I never bought any of these for my Aro, so these are my knowledge collected based on my reading. I wanted to see my fish in its own natural coloring.

My suggestion is to have 2 white T5 / T8 Tube Light / LED lights for illumination purpose, on top of tank. Have Warm white (yellow) to support gold coloration and in your case blue as well, place it inside the front wall of your tank in a way that this yellow/blue light reflect on the fish when you look at it from front.
 
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That's good info and pretty much summarises what I have read over the past year or so. Thank you very much. I have white LED for now with a blue for night time. I am going to get a yellow submersible just to go along the width of the tank at the end the aro is sectioned off in just to se how this goes. I do not want to end up with loads of lights under the water just to make the aro look good, besides they will not last long before the rays start knocking them about. I am in the same camp as you. I want to see the fish in its natural state, I do not like the sound of this 24/7 tanning lark.
Thanks for the reply, appreciated.
 
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