How do I get good color?

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
One aspect to getting the most color out of your fish is proper lighting. I think the two most important things are diet and lighting. I have a 55 gallon Malawi Mbuna tank that most people think is saltwater because of the amazing colors.

Here are some lighting tips that I have figured out. If you are on a budget, use standard flor. bulbs with glass lids on the tank. Glass lids are very important, the cheap plastic lids with the spot for the light near the back are no good. With those your fish can swim in front of the light (making them look dull). Buy glass lids and slide the light fixtures clear to the front of the tank. This alone will make an immediate difference. Next is the brand of bulb. The two cheapest and most readily available are the Hagen Aqua Glow and the Coralife Colormax. Both of these bulbs will highlight all colors.

If you do not have a limited budget, for extreme colors use a high wattage compact flor. with a 50/50 bulb. A 50/50 is typically a 10,000k daylight bulb and an Atinic blue bulb.

If you have endless funds buy a medal halide lighting. Nothing else compares.
 
For my Africans I stick with NLS and occationally krill.........supplemented with OSI spirulina pellets.......working great for me:thumbsup:

----- Also move your lights to the front 1/3rd of the tank ....this will bring out the fish colors as well.....
 
I swear by HBH flake frenzy for cichlids, it is a great food for any size cichlid.
This food will bring out the best in most fish. Genetics are very important too.
They dont have to be wild or F1's if you buy from selective breeders.

Good luck with your fish:thumbsup:
 
good water, food and lighting.
keep up on water changes. I have also heard that if your pH is on the low side, Africans, which prefer higher ph, may not show as well as they could.

lots of good foods out there.

I am much happier with my tank now that I have been using 18,000k multi-spectrum bulbs. (2 differant kinds) The 4,600k and 10,000k are bright enough...Any bulb can light the tank. We are talking, focusing on the parts of the light spectrum that will make specific colors POP.
 
When it comes to light that enhances color I'm a big fan of Zoomed's FloraSun bulbs. 8500k, gives off a violet hue but it brings out natural color nicely, greens, reds, blues, etc. simply enhances unlike the blue actinic bulbs which may bring out blues but also washes everything else with a blue tint.
 
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