lighting an african tank

[Andrewtfw]

The tank is a 54 corner. I am using a dry african mix substrate (the one that is mostly sea shells). I am having trouble finding lighting that makes the substrate show off its crisp, white color.
I tried a 30" twin tube flourescent with 1- 10K and 1- actinic but it was too dim. I tried a 30" T5 HO with a 10K and actinic combo, but it too was too dim. I tried a 30" 65w PC with a 50/50 bulb but again, found it too dim. I then tried a 10K but the water had a green tint. I am now using an 8k, but the tank now has a pink tint. I have a 150w HQI mounted over the tank (it used to be a planted set-up), but I fear an algae bloom from that amount of wattage.

Any suggestions?

 

[Andrew]

Try a daylight/10k combo in the t5ho fixture.

 

[chris_todd]

+1 to what andrew said, daylight + 10k seems like the most aesthetically pleasing (at least to my eye) cichlid lighting.

 

[Andrewtfw]

What spectrum daylight do you reccomend? I have seen bulbs varying from 6500K through 10K that all say they are "daylight" bulbs.

 

[Tony]

I was screwing around with HQI bulbs a lot when I was reefing... never cared much for the 6500K color. The brightest/best for coral growth, but made everything look way too yellow.

14K was money. Brought out the blues; but not sure if it would be bright enough for you.

 

[Spine]

I like the 6500k,10k combo. You might want to throw some reflectors behind those bulbs that will help also.

 

[danger_chicken]

I like 10k for a crisp clean bright white, at least on MH.

 

[Cartel]

10k

 

[Andrewtfw]

The 10K does not seem all that "crisp" in the T5HO. I was thinking of trying a 10K with a powerglo or a lifeglo and seeing how that works. Right now I have it with 10k and actinic. The fish and substrate look decent, but I would prefer it a bit brighter.

 

[iamzrad]

I use 10k and Actinic.