Charter Subscriber Needs Help

aquabillpers · Feb 22, 2018

Hello,

Thanks to Tom and others here, I learned how to grow aquatic plants. After a long time I learned enough that I gradually stopped posting, and there were plenty of people who were able to help less experienced folks.

Then the three tube fluorescent fixture over my 29 gallon Walstad-type tank died, and I couldn't find another one. Someone here recommended an LED fixture and I bought it. The increase in plant growth was amazing, even though I had been quite happy with the fluorescent fixture.

But.

The colors of the fish were quite subdued. My Endler's seemed mainly brown and grey, as opposed to their bright colored under the fluorescents. It seemed to me that the LED light went straight down, like a laser, and didn't diffuse the way fluorescent (and incandescent) light does.

So. What can I do to get lighting that will show my aquariums to good advantage? I don't need the plant growth that the LEDs cause (I hate trimming) but I do like to sit and watch the colorful fish swim around.

Thanks,

Bill
.

burr740 · Feb 22, 2018

Add more reds and blues, either from a new led that has them included, or going back to fluorescent bulbs

Fwiw it wasnt the leds themselves that sparked more growth, the new light was probably just brighter

burr740 · Feb 22, 2018

You might wanna look at adding a Finnex Monster ray. Its a low PAR color enhancing unit made to do just what you're saying.

bshenanagins · Feb 25, 2018

If your overwhelmed with the growth of the plants it’s an easy fix, just raise the light or dim the light if possible. You don’t need fluorescents to get good color as burr already mentioned. A color enhancing led fixture that focuses on reds and blues will help those endlers pop.

Charter Subscriber Needs Help

aquabillpers

Lifetime Charter Member

burr740

Micros Spiller

burr740

Micros Spiller

bshenanagins

Junior Poster