Lights actually can screw with water appearance. I think it's a problem with the camera itself more than the lights/aquarium/water though. My 20 Long has a standard hood light above it, but it's a violet color bulb, I think for plant growth or something, or maybe a reptile light (bought it on Craigslist). With the black gravel the light makes any pictures I take of that tank look washed out/cloudy, but the water is crystal clear in person.