Lighting, Colours In A Deep Tank

[mattyvx]

I've had my malawi tank setup for around 6months now, it's a custom tank which measures 4ft x 2ft x 4ft.

As i've got more time and money i'm upgrading some features of the tank and would like some advice on lighting...

Currently I have one 54w T5 bulb (1047mm), nothing special and while it looks OK... it's really not showing off the colours of my fish.

The tank is pretty deep and i've read for deep tanks lights with a higher kelvin penetrate the water better. I'd also consider buying a twin controller to combine one white and a blue bulb, or should I go for a 50/50 bulb???

I'm considering this but concerned it might be too white and not enough blue

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JUWEL-HIGH-LITE-MARINE-WHITE-T5-TUBE-24W-28W-35W-45W-54W-FISH-TANK-BULB-LIGHT-/190677517251?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Fish&var=&hash=item2c654403c3My link

Here is a picture of my tank...

 

[Malawi MaD]

More White is much better, as equal percentages of white and blue usually washes the colours out of malawi's. T5's will work well for deep tanks (can be quite expensive to run) LED's are fast becoming a good option to. Ideally you want good natural lighting, as this will show the best colours in your fish. Multiple Marine white or natural glo bulbs will work well with either no blue or 1 blue. I usually find reflectors help direct the light and enhance the tank/fish without it been to OTT and looking worse rather than good. Have you thought about getting a T5 lighting unit? Or DIY led system?

 

[jojouk]

That is an awesome tank!

 

[Malawi MaD]

That is an awesome tank!

Forgot to say the same sorry, got a lot of potential this tank mat

 

[eggo]

height is not really a issue with mbuna it's the footprint that counts lenth and width to the amount of fish you can have, ie yours is a 4x2x4 you can only have the same amount of fish with someone who has got a tank 4x2x2, but if you had a 6x2x2 which will hold's less water than yours you can have more fish due to it's bigger footprint hope it makes sense lol

 

[mattyvx]

Thanks for comments!

Have you thought about getting a T5 lighting unit? Or DIY led system?

I was thinking about this.... Light Unit

But having it under my hood... I have 12cm clearance height from the glass 'lid' on tank to the roof of the brown hood so this should fit underneath, also slits cut in back and vents to release heat.

It seems a better option of as opposed to buying new duel light controller, reflectors & bulbs.... what do you think?

 

[Malawi MaD]

The lighting units would be the better and easier option i think yeah. So it would be resting on the glass sliders ?? They do usually come with a stand, so if you wanted to, you could raise it up slightly. If you could get a unit that has 4 bulbs as well, it will give you the opportunity to have a play about and get the right lighting affect that you want.

What and how many fish have you currently got in there? (If you dont mind me asking )

 

[Lufbramatt]

My favourite combination is a marine white tube at the back and a "colour" light ie one with more red and blue output at the front, such as an arcadia original tropical or juwel colorlite.