Light temperature?

[chris1805]

Hi all,

I hope somebody can help me out. I am thinking about buying a new LED light for my fish tank. I can choose different light temperatures. I am in doubt between 6500K or 5700K. What do you think would represent the best lightning colour for my Apistogramma's?

Thanks in advance.
Christian

 

[Mike Wise]

Since most apistos live under a jungle canopy, I doubt that it matters much to them. Plants, however, are a different matter. Natural sunlight is around 5500° K. Plants & fish will probably look more 'natural' at this temperature. I've converted most of my rain gutter strip lights 5700°K LEDs. The tanks look better than they did with cool white fluorescent tubes.

 

[Mtfallstodd]

Agree with Mike. I have 5500K lights over all my freshwater tanks. I get nice growth on plants and very natural looking colors on fish.

 

[chris1805]

Hmm interesting. Thank you for the feedback. I thought i read that 6500K was the optimal for plant growth. I already have 6500K on my other tank, and i like the look, but sometimes it is a bit too bright. When going to 5700K i am affraid it will become too yellow.

@Mike Wise , Do you maybe have a picture of a tank with 5700k lights and that is more or less clear water?

 

[Mike Wise]

Don't have any useful photos. All my tanks have a 80+% cover of Salvinia, so tanks are dark. Most of my tanks are blackwater, so that won't help either.

 

[chris1805]

I see. Maybe i should play on safe and order the 6500k, of whic i know that i will like to colour of the lightning. It will turn a bit yellowish by the use of peat anyways.

 

[ButtNekkid]

Don't have any useful photos. All my tanks have a 80+% cover of Salvinia, so tanks are dark. Most of my tanks are blackwater, so that won't help either.

Do you have open top tanks? Do you use only sponge filters?

 

[Bart Hazes]

IMO too many people lose sleep over this. Sunlight is about 5500K but in nature water, floating plants, a forest canopy etc all change the spectrum and plants can deal with a broad range. Total amount of light is more relevant than small variations in colour temperature. Most of my tanks use 5000K LEDs, but I would not hesitate to use anything between 4500K and 6500K. My prefered light is actually direct sunlight. Nicest colour and it comes for free.

 

[Mike Wise]

Some of my tanks are open-top only because I'm too lazy (and cheap) to replace broken tops. All of my tanks have air-driven filters. Some are sponge filters, but I am slowly changing them to matten types.