Is lighting more important than you think?

[jbedwards71]

So as some of you know, I just set up my first Troph tank. I had an existing 55 gallon Mbuna tank that had been running for about 2 years. I was able to trade all of my assorted Mbuna for a colony of F1 Troph sp. Red Ndole and a couple of Troph sp. Ikolas. I absolutely fell in love with the fish, but they just didn't look good in my tank (very dark and drab). After doing what most of you do, reading articles online, comparing my tank to others...etc., I tried something this afternoon. I took, what I thought was the best bulb for a standard T8 fixture, Coralife 50/50, and replaced it with the stock "full spectrum" bulbs that came with the tank. For Mbuna, the 50/50 is wonderful, but not for Tropheus. All of sudden, the Ndoles colors came out in full effect! I also, added some of my fake silk plants that I had and rearranged my rocks. I had watched a video online of a Duboisi tank where the female had spit her fry and they hung out in the plants for protection. Within minutes of getting the tank setup, I had several fish dancing and courting in the plants. It was almost as if the males (which I'm not sure how many I have at this point) recognized the females and nature took it's course. I am going with these lights for awhile and might try some Coralife Colormax at a later time. I will post a new video when I get a chance. So, what is everyone's thoughts on this? Thanks again for all the advice that I receive on this forum.

Color max bulbs are great. I had some kachese with color max and T5 bulbs. Made them pop.

[DireWolf]

Yes, colormax are great to bring out the reds in fish.

[Mastiffman]

Originally Posted by jbedwards71

So as some of you know, I just set up my first Troph tank. I had an existing 55 gallon Mbuna tank that had been running for about 2 years. I was able to trade all of my assorted Mbuna for a colony of F1 Troph sp. Red Ndole and a couple of Troph sp. Ikolas. I absolutely fell in love with the fish, but they just didn't look good in my tank (very dark and drab). After doing what most of you do, reading articles online, comparing my tank to others...etc., I tried something this afternoon. I took, what I thought was the best bulb for a standard T8 fixture, Coralife 50/50, and replaced it with the stock "full spectrum" bulbs that came with the tank. For Mbuna, the 50/50 is wonderful, but not for Tropheus. All of sudden, the Ndoles colors came out in full effect! I also, added some of my fake silk plants that I had and rearranged my rocks. I had watched a video online of a Duboisi tank where the female had spit her fry and they hung out in the plants for protection. Within minutes of getting the tank setup, I had several fish dancing and courting in the plants. It was almost as if the males (which I'm not sure how many I have at this point) recognized the females and nature took it's course. I am going with these lights for awhile and might try some Coralife Colormax at a later time. I will post a new video when I get a chance. So, what is everyone's thoughts on this? Thanks again for all the advice that I receive on this forum.

Love to see photos or Video!

[jbedwards71]

Originally Posted by Mastiffman

Love to see photos or Video!

Finally shot a video yesterday. Still using my iphone so the quality could be better. I'm not a huge fan of fake plants, but I think these will look okay once they get a nice coat of algae on them. Still think I will pick up some colormax bulbs to try out, but these are much better then the 50/50's I was using.

[Grantman]

Looks good. Fish are beautiful. Waiting for my set of beamworks V2 led's to arrive any day now. Can't wait

[jbedwards71]

Originally Posted by Grantman

Looks good. Fish are beautiful. Waiting for my set of beamworks V2 led's to arrive any day now. Can't wait

Awesome! Can't wait to see them. One day I'll upgrade to LEDs!

[Mastiffman]

Originally Posted by jbedwards71

Awesome! Can't wait to see them. One day I'll upgrade to LEDs!

Very Nice! I honestly think that if the BG was painted Blue instead of Black you'd see more colors. and the Ikola need more of their kind to show properly.

[jbedwards71]

Originally Posted by Mastiffman

Very Nice! I honestly think that if the BG was painted Blue instead of Black you'd see more colors. and the Ikola need more of their kind to show properly.

I completely agree about the background. Hindsight. I am planning on picking up more Ikola and weeding out some of the Ndoles once I can figure out how many males I have.

[Mastiffman]

Originally Posted by jbedwards71

I completely agree about the background. Hindsight. I am planning on picking up more Ikola and weeding out some of the Ndoles once I can figure out how many males I have.

20/20 baby! lol

yeah that sounds like a good idea.