The Great Lighting Debate

[CLOSSIE]

As per the topic title.
I am currently running 2 36W T5 power compacts above my 33usg tank. I currently have a single daylight plus and single beauty lamp.
As I have recently moved more toward South American fish, I'm concerned the day light plus will wash out the colours on my dwarf cichlids and tetra etc. the fish I now have also prefer a little lower light levels than they receive.
I have seen that there is a triplus bulb available also.. Does anyone have any experience of these?


I have dropped my planting to easy to manage without co2 plants as whilst I enjoyed my initial foray into high tech planted tanks, by eck it was hard work. So... have now got plenty of crypts, java ferns etc, most of the planting does not therefore need high intensity lighting. What I want is a good balance of light, but one which brings out the colours..

Nb I am not necesarily stuck to the interpet brand, but i dont know of any other manufacturers, so if there are any please feel free to shout.

Any ideas/recommendations welcome..,

I'm thinking

2 x beauty lamps
or 1 x beauty lamp, 1 x tri plus,

What do you all think?
or 2 x tri plus..

 

[Kevstir]

Triplus is a great tube m8, brings out the reds and blues of the fish really well..

Iv never seen a beauty light before so can comment on that sorry.

from my experience sticking with the daylight plus and adding a triplus will give good colour spread between fish and plants, the daylight plus will help bring out the greens of the plants.

Kev

 

[CLOSSIE]

Thanks kev.
I think I will get a triplus and first try it with the beauty tube, then the daylight.
FYI the beauty tube is all about bringing the colours out in the fish. It sort of has a pinkish tinge to it. It does a great job but for my tank does not make it bright enough on its own.