First Flowerhorn

[Angler]

i have heard that about blue, but it's painted, so i'm stuck with that for awhile. I wanted to try the red out and I think it looks good under the current lighting, but it looks too almost flourescent under just the aqua-glo lights. I'm either going to change all to aqua-glo or the 48' to power-glo and if the sand is still like this, I'll switch it out. I think the red goes well with the fish, though and it's a pretty natural color, actually as far as like some deserts and desert streams go, but not natural for most cichlid habitat. Then again, FH's aren't nautural either, lol. Are you suggesting going with different sand to enhance its color or you just like more natural color substrate? I had this sand in another tank and I took it out a while ago.

thanks for the compliment and advice.

The most common recommendation would be blue or multi-colored background and multicolored gravel for FHs

While this is probably the best ways to bring out the color of your FH, I would keep it the way it is. I like how your tank is. If the FH starts to get too dark then maybe you could consider changing something.

 

[pwmin]

The most common recommendation would be blue or multi-colored background and multicolored gravel for FHs

While this is probably the best ways to bring out the color of your FH, I would keep it the way it is. I like how your tank is. If the FH starts to get too dark then maybe you could consider changing something.

I tried a couple different lights and I'm going to replace the 48" marine glo with aqua-glo like in the dual 18" fixture. I just don't like it. I tried my dual 36" T5HO w/ power-glo bulbs and it didn't look right to my surprise. If the color of the sand stays the same as w/ just the dual 18" fixture, I'm going to change it out cuz its pretty bright red, but I think with the extra light, it'll tone it down a bit. I replaced the 48" w/ the 5500 or 6700k bulb that was originally in it and it doesn't look too good that way, either, so hopefully having all aqua glo bulbs will do the trick.

 

[midasman714]

Let me clarify and take back what i've said

although MOST red dragons do well w/ blue background and natural gravel, there will be exceptions. I've actually had a few that do better in black background and another that looked its best w/ clear background.

So my advice is to experiment w/ different tank decor and background. Since your tank is painted, I would play around w/ the substrate until you can find another tank. It truly makes a difference. and w/ a nice fish like this, its worth finding out what works best. GL.

 

[pwmin]

gotcha.


yes, it's totally worth it. I'm going to experiment until I get it right. I'll probably look for a setup w/ tank, stand and canopy and then just sell my tank and then I can experiment w/ backgrounds. I need a nicer stand and a canopy and it's easier to find a complete setup. I should be getting the new bulb tomorrow, so hopefully that will help.

 

[pwmin]

well, i like having all aqua-glo bulbs, but the sand is flourescent red, so that has to go. I'm not sure what I'm going to replace the substrate with for sure. I'll probably do natural pea gravel and cobbles

 

[pwmin]

With all the bad luck I've had with fish lately, especially expensive ones, I'm very happy with him. I frickin' love this fish. I had a problem small male convict, so I decided to add some decor and try it in there (also threw in a 6" striped raphael) and everything is working very well so far. Not to mention that it looks better. I need to swap out the sand, but I'm not sure with what yet.