Lighting for Malawi Cichlids

Discussion in 'Cichlids' started by Cropheus, Jan 10, 2012.

  1. Cropheus

    Cropheus

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Centurion, South Africa
    Hi All

    What would be the recommended lighting cycle and types of tubes to be used in a 240l Malawi tank. My tank came with 2 tubes not sure if they are T5 or T8, will check tonight.

    Any advise?

    Riaan
     
  2. Guest




  3. Double-D

    Double-D David

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Secunda, Mpumalanga
    I did my malawi tank with a 30W 10000K T8 tube. It's a crisp light that picks up the color of the fish nicely. And if I do discover a plant (except plastic) that malawi cichlids don't distroy I have the full spectrum required for low light growth. I already have something growing on a piece of driftwood which I suspect to be a form of algae.

    Sent from my BlackBerry 9530 using Tapatalk
     
  4. Corne

    Corne

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Villeria
    Ran T 8 sunglo 10k and a T 8 coral blue it looked great .I would suggest a dark substrate to bring out the malawis colors
    Bright substrate tend to take away the contrast
     
  5. OP
    Cropheus

    Cropheus

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Centurion, South Africa
    Thanks people.

    I use the arachnite substrate as it naturally buffers the PH for me. Im hoping the Black background i have will enhance the colors of the fish. What about the cycle for the fish? Run lights from 6am to 6pm??

    Riaan
     
  6. OP
    Cropheus

    Cropheus

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Centurion, South Africa
    Ok i checked the lights. There are 2 30watt t8tubes in. The one says white and the other red.

    Will the lights push my tank temperature up to 30 degrees if the room temp is 28 degrees?


    Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk
     
  7. Double-D

    Double-D David

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Secunda, Mpumalanga
    I doubt the T8's will increase the tank temperature above 28 degrees. Unlike CFL's and MH units the T8's don't give of as much radiant heat. The white is most probably a 6500K daylight and red is the grow-lux type... good for plants
     
  8. OP
    Cropheus

    Cropheus

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Centurion, South Africa
    In that case, ill remove the red tube as i will have no plants, only plastic ones. Ill then get a 34 watt light. And also remove the white one. Except if the 30 watt white is sufficient.

    Lastly could it be harmfull to my fish if i leave the ligt off during the day while i am at work, and leave it on longer during the evening?

    Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk
     
  9. Corne

    Corne

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Villeria
    Run both lights malawis like algae
    Try both at night with all other lights in the room off, And turning them on if you get home after works will have them like puppy dogs waiting for food looks very nice malawis has nice personalities
     
  10. OP
    Cropheus

    Cropheus

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2012
    Messages:
    201
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Centurion, South Africa
    So you say i should leave lights on from i get home until i leave in the morning?

    Sent from my GT-P7500 using Tapatalk
     
  11. Corne

    Corne

    Joined:
    Nov 7, 2011
    Messages:
    611
    Likes Received:
    2
    Location:
    Villeria
    No sorry turn them on if you come home and off when you go to bed they will also rest then. It is my routine and they seem to understand this somehow ?

    Good luck with your kids lol they will grow on you for sure
     
  12. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    Messages:
    13,309
    Likes Received:
    3,713
    Location:
    UK
    I have seen a Malawi tank lit with blue lights. It really brought out the colours of the fish. But the overall effect was too much like a disco for my taste.
     
  13. azurekoi

    azurekoi Loaches & Gobies

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Messages:
    4,077
    Likes Received:
    61
    Location:
    Pretoria
    Have always liked the effect on the colours of most Malawi's when you mix a high spectrum white light(10 000k + .... think Marine mid day lights) with a Blue light (Coralglo) - Balanced viewing of fishes true colours under the white,and the blue just highlighting that colour,if present,of the fish...
    Straight blue lighting(sadly,often seen) does absolutely NOTHING in enhancing their natural beauty - washing out any other colour than blue... Just my opinion - shoot me...

    If you keep Mbuna - longer lighting periods than the standard 8 to 10 hours for a planted tank is beneficial for algae growth - that is if you don't mind scraping your glass more often... your fish will love you for it though for providing them with a natural food source that they would chow down on in nature...
     
  14. Singularity

    Singularity

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2008
    Messages:
    892
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Potchefstroom
    for just fish i would go with 2x10 000K and one Blue 20 000K tubes, adding a blue tube just gives it that crisp clean look, but yes blue on its own is a no no.
     
  15. azurekoi

    azurekoi Loaches & Gobies

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Messages:
    4,077
    Likes Received:
    61
    Location:
    Pretoria
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  16. Double-D

    Double-D David

    Joined:
    Aug 15, 2011
    Messages:
    452
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    Secunda, Mpumalanga
    My setup for the 4ft malawi tank is 1x 10000K (superlight) as called by the LFS (though I don't buy my lights there) and a 1m waterproof blue 5050 LED strip which in my opinion has a more intense blue than the coralglo lights and lower lumens BUT it picks up the most amazing colouring of the fish. Did the same on my community tank but the tannins are still stuffing me around... Plus you can use the LED as an intermediate night light before lights out. Will take some picks when I'm off and post them. Check out my malawi journal to see how well the 30W 10000K tube works http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?10127-My-240L-Malawi-Journal
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2012

Recent Posts

Loading...
Similar Threads - Lighting Malawi Cichlids Forum Date
Malawi tank lighting Cichlids Nov 5, 2012
Lighting for Malawi Tank General Equipment discussion Feb 2, 2010
Planted lighting Beginner Discussions Nov 24, 2023
Lighting help needed Planted Tanks Oct 7, 2023
Custom Rgb LED lighting Planted Tanks Dec 30, 2021
Suitable lighting suggestions please? General Equipment discussion Aug 1, 2021
Lighting questions Beginner Discussions Apr 21, 2021

Share This Page