Lighting

[debbie51975]

What would I use to get a brighter light without blinding my fish?
Since I switched to blaack gravel and background, my tank looks darker. Actually, mixed with the green plants, it has almost a yellow hue. Does anyone know what I could do to get the 'yellow' hue gone? What kind of bulb is best in a dark colored tank?

[Dacotah7]

I don't think you need to worry about blinding your fish. There ae all kinds of options.

What are your tank details, gallons, size and shape?
Is it planted?
Fish species and quantity?
What do you have for lights now?
Incandescent or Flouresent. Number of bulbs, color of light, e.g. daylight, 6,700k, if you know or can find it on the bulbs.

[dane]

a daylight 6500 or 6700k is the brightest bulb you will find that isnt meant for saltwater .. the higher the kelvin rating the bluer the hue goes and the 6500 and 6700 k is in the middle ground

[bushwhacker]

danes pretty much got this. 6500 to 6700 is great for planted tanks but anything up to 10000k works fine. if your looking for brighter you need more watts or lumens

[debbie51975]

The one I'm having issues with is 46 gal bowfront. (actually...I hate the stand too! Don't even get me started....) I've never had to change the bulbs in three years, but just looked at whats in there "Eclipse Natural Daylight 36" " So I can maybe go brighter? Or at least somehow change the 'tone' of the light? Thanks again..:ssmile:

[debbie51975]

or....is it possble after three years they're just finally dimming? Do they dim ever? My other tanks I just waited for them to burn out, never noticed if they were dimmer...