Best lighting temperature for African cichlids?

[Mr.Newb]

Hello everyone

I just upgrade my lighting from a cheap 36 inch to another cheap 48 inch shop light which I picked up at home depot.

Btw I am running two T8 6500k bulbs, and they do an awesome job at washing out my fishes color.

I am a newb, so please recommend some color temperature which allow for more color intensity.

Thank you, and I would appreciate any pictures posted!

 

[Mr.Newb]

no one?

 

[Andrew]

PowerGlo is my favorite for most Africans.

 

[Rasta Fish]

I like AquaGlo myself use it on all my tanks

 

[crazyclowntang]

14k halide bulb does the trick!

 

[Tony]

I like something closer to the 9K-10K spectrum. Good neutral color without being too yellow or blue.... and you can find them at a reasonable price at Home Depot.

 

[Andrewtfw]

I prefer 8k and the Powerglo (not together).

 

[Charlutz]

If you have multiple strips, I always liked a combination of daylight, plus one actinic to bring out the blues. I used to do 2 daylight to one actinic or 3:1.

 

[WendyFish]

I've lately been in this dilemma myself, as the 10k/actinic we got for our 75 was not enough light for our taste. We got a HO fixture with 4 slots and 4 different bulbs (6500, 10K, actinic, pinkish plant grow thing) to be able to play with the combos.

It is a bit overkill; we are not running them all, but it was nice to be able to play with various combinations and see what looked best in the tank and brought out the fish colors the best (we have Africans as well, mix of blue, orange and OB colors in that tank). And nice to know we can "redecorate" when we feel like it!

If you have any combos you're curious about I'd be happy to take some pics of what they look like at least in our tank, just let me know.

 

[iamzrad]

10k and actinic.
Or maybe the 50/50 bulbs.

 

[Spine]

I like the 6500k with a actinic bulb as a combo. I wouldn't turn my nose up at a Powerglo either.

 

[cmcpart0422]

Does anyone have experience with the 50/50 bulbs? And Tony you said you can find 9k-10k bulbs at Home Depot? I have been to both Lows and Home Depot and have only seen bulbs as high as 6500k. Which home depot did you find them at?