Making my fish "pop"

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C

Chicxulub

Silver Tier VIP
MFK Member
Aug 29, 2009
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Hey all, I'm looking for a way to make my fish pop. As I have predatory characins, they have lots of yellows and reds as their main colors. The fish have rich, full colors at that. I was wondering what I could do to really make their colors stand out? I suspect my lighting is the culprit. I am currently running three 24" strips of the Marineland Accent LED Light Strips, as pictured below. They have a cool white glow with blue moonlights that are on all the time. I suspect that the color temperature of my lights is making the rich reds and yellows of my fish look bruised and dark. Thoughts?

If I am correct in my supposition, what lighting system could correct this? I've been looking at the Aqueon modular lighting system with its "Color Max" lights, but I'm not sure.

What can I do?

Thanks guys

light.jpg
The lights I have

light.jpg
 
If only I can share my multi-color DIY LED strip and find out which color will bring out the most from your characins. It's the top one. The bright white (lower) encouraged the yellows and brings out the red (seen in my Oscar). The blue tinge is best for the silver arowana. At least that is how I perceive it.

RMQ_2599.JPG

RMQ_2599.JPG
 
Let's see. The color temperature you are looking for is that of what GB above has stated. It should be between 4000-5500K. Between 5500-6500K is where most light is poured in the visible spectrum. Anything lower will have the appearance of a yellow tinge. Even lower is reddish/orangish or constitutes IR. The bluer side of the spectrum starts at roughly 10000K. You need to determine what type of LED lighting is equivalent to what GB has stated hence you need to find an equivalent Kelvin rating. What appears to work in my tank is contrast and not just K matching. I added blue light together with the other lighting I have and it seems to make my fish colors to be more pronounced. I also have a dark substrate. This is helpful when you have cichlids but for characins, it will simply provide a darker backdraft.
 
i am having the same issues. I just ordered some new T5HO bulbs if my new combo works i will post it here.
 
Combining the ultra sun and flora life t5HO bulbs made by zoomed really brightens up a tank, brought out spangles especially well. I want to upgrade the lighting in my ebjd tank, just to bring out his colors more.


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