What kind of lighting is best?

I have a 55Gal Malawi tank w. a coral substrate. The lighting that came w.
the tank is bluish-white and makes the whole tank look washed out. It's a
Perfecto(?) hood w. 2 24" bulbs. I'd like to replace the bulbs, but what are
my options? I'd like a light that enhances the coloring of the fish. I have
no live plants. Thanks.

Use a Coralife 50/50

"Rich A." wrote in message
nk.net...
I have a 55Gal Malawi tank w. a coral substrate. The lighting that came w.
the tank is bluish-white and makes the whole tank look washed out. It's a
Perfecto(?) hood w. 2 24" bulbs. I'd like to replace the bulbs, but what
are
my options? I'd like a light that enhances the coloring of the fish. I
have
no live plants. Thanks.

"Ghazanfar Ghori" wrote in message
et...
Use a Coralife 50/50

Thanks.

Many of the Coralife 50/50 lights come with the blue/white twin tube. If
that's what you are trying to get away from, make sure you get one without
the blue tube.

I have a Coralife 50/50 with a blue/white twin tube and I love the way it
makes my tank look.

- J


"Ghazanfar Ghori" wrote in message
et...
Use a Coralife 50/50

"Rich A." wrote in message
nk.net...
I have a 55Gal Malawi tank w. a coral substrate. The lighting that came
w.
the tank is bluish-white and makes the whole tank look washed out. It's
a
Perfecto(?) hood w. 2 24" bulbs. I'd like to replace the bulbs, but what
are
my options? I'd like a light that enhances the coloring of the fish. I
have
no live plants. Thanks.

In article , Jay wrote:
Many of the Coralife 50/50 lights come with the blue/white

All 50/50 lights are 50% actinic(blue) and 50% white. Hence the name.

They are not as practical as a two bulbs: one actinic, and one
white. The actinic tubes don't last as long as the white so you end up
changeing the 50/50 when the white side is still good.


To the original poster. You probably don't want a 50/50 bulb. It is
very blue and will make you fish look funny. If you want to see the
real colours of the fish get a light that is 5500k to 6500k with a
high CRI of 89+. CRI is colour redering index. The Sun has a CRI of
100. You can find these bulbs in a hardware store for much less then
in an aquarium shop.

"nanoreef" wrote in message
.cable.rogers.com...
In article , Jay wrote:
Many of the Coralife 50/50 lights come with the blue/white

All 50/50 lights are 50% actinic(blue) and 50% white. Hence the name.

They are not as practical as a two bulbs: one actinic, and one
white. The actinic tubes don't last as long as the white so you end up
changeing the 50/50 when the white side is still good.

Ah, I see. When I purchased it, my LFS thought that some came with two white
tubes instead but they did tell me that the blue would wear out first. I'll
probably switch to a double white after six months. I do like the way it
makes my fish and plants look though.

:-)

- J