Best light temperature for fish only

[JasonK84]

I'm just about to start transferring fish to my new 120 fish only tank (probably a week out). I've got a 36" 4 bulb T5 light that I am using and it currently has 2-420 actinic and 2-10k bulbs in it. They still work but are old.

Here is where my question comes:
If I wanted to replace the bulbs what would be the best color temperature for showing off the fish. Not worried about coral or anemone just showing off those beautiful fish.

Thanks in advance

 

[Hitman]

I would think full spectrum leaning on the white side.

 

[JasonK84]

I would think full spectrum leaning on the white side.

So you are saying all 4 at 10k?

 

[Hitman]

Here’s a set of color charts from ATI on color. Personally I would aim for the 15k for just fish as I think it brings out all the colors. With that said fish of different colors will show more or less under different lighting. I love a lot of blue and my lights are about 18K but my yellow Coris Wrasse looks black due to the heavy blues.

 

[JasonK84]

I definitely don't want any of my fish looking black.
Found these on eBay. 4 bulbs for less than $25.

 

[fermentedhiker]

It kind of depends on the fish you intend to keep. Reds, greens, blues, pinks, purples will all look a little different under given light. 10-12K is probably a good compromise in terms of looks.

 

[JasonK84]

Here are the fish I have acquired so far and have spread out between 3 other tanks getting ready for the 120.

5" PBT
3" Koran angel (juv.)
3" Picasso trigger
3-molly miller blennies (3",2",and1" I caught them at the beach and brought them home)
2.5" Pakistan butterfly (in QT)
2.5" blue spot Toby puffer (in QT)
5" pink face wrasse (will go in different QT when it arrives Tuesday)

 

[fermentedhiker]

It's probably going to come down to personal preference but I would guess 12 or 14 K with my personal being for 12K. If you went very blue 20K and above it starts to wash out a lot of colors(at least the ones that don't fluoresce) IMO. but everyone has different tastes...........

 

[DesertReefT4r]

The fish don't need light so it's really up to you. You also dont need or want a lot of light in a fish only tank, more light equals more algae.

 

[JasonK84]

The fish don't need light so it's really up to you. You also dont need or want a lot of light in a fish only tank, more light equals more algae.

I think I'll go with the 12k light bulbs and keep it as white of a light as I can.