Suggestions for lights with good color blending?

[Gino]

Hey all!

Perhaps you guys have some ideas for me. I'm looking to upgrade a couple of my current lights, which are Fluval Aquasky 2.0's.

My first attempt at upgrading was getting a Twinstar 1200EA V. But with that light I ran into a problem: it made my tank very disco-y! The separated-out colors (somewhat of a defining feature for twinstar lights) didn't properly blend in my setup, resulting in colored dots of light dancing around everywhere. It looked very unnatural.

I have plenty of surface agitation, so having a shimmer effect is expected. But under these circumstances the fluval lights (which are RGBW) never gave me problems with color separation, while the twinstar did.

So what could be some good quality lights (mid segment and up) that work well for tanks with a lot of surface agitation? I assume that color blending plays an important part here.

It will be for a low tech tank that currently doesn't require too much in the way of PAR. An overpowered light I can dial back is fine. I prefer a mostly natural look over heavy color boosting.

I'm currently considering something like a Skylight Entriq. A bit on the expensive side, but who knows. Appreciate any input!

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Chihiros has good WRGB LED diodes, AND a white diffusion layer, that helps blend the light together better.

I used a twinstar in the past, and had the same issue. It left a distinct purple line on the wall behind my tank.

Skylight hyperspot lights shimmer extra hard from surface agitation due to the focused-type LED they use, BUT the colors are super super natural. The colors do not "separate". Multiple members of the Green Aqua gallery (best in Europe) are on record saying hyperspots have the most natural look to their color, and I 100% agree. You could find them easier in your area than us in the US!

So, consider trying a chihiros WRGB II, or a skylight hyperspot. That's my advice!

 

[Koan]

So, consider trying a chihiros WRGB II, or a skylight hyperspot

 

[Gino]

Thanks again for your advice @Naturescapes_Rocco !

Weighing the lighting philosophies of the brands mentioned and my budget, I ended up getting a Skylight Entriq. I would've had to stretch my budget a bit too much for the Hyperspots, and a big plus for my particular setup is that the Entriq has several useful mounting options.

So far I really like it! I'm seeing subtle shades of colors I didn't know my fish and my aquarium had, lol. There's this balance now of more natural and more vibrant coloration without overdoing the RGB part of it. Just what I was looking for.

Not the best pics here but just to give a little impression. I didn't know, with my previous lights, that my panda garras had these different shades of red and yellow for example.

This is on the "A8" setting at 5000 K.

Funnily enough I find that A1 looks pretty good as well, it's a close second even though it's a much cooler light color, like 50000 K or something...? Everything in between on the A line looked okay but less well balanced, at least to my eyes.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Looks great. Colors look solid without crazy unnatural purple/reds. Looks like something you'd see at the bottom of a clear spring stream!

 

[JayP]

Looks great. Colors look solid without crazy unnatural purple/reds. Looks like something you'd see at the bottom of a clear spring stream!

Agreed. Colors look very natural in those photos.

 

[MrJG]

Are there any dealers in the US for skylight? Never really dug around to look at other offerings but the foqal looks interesting.

 

[JayP]

Are there any dealers in the US for skylight? Never really dug around to look at other offerings but the foqal looks interesting.

The only dealer in the U.S. : Nature Design Studios
Be sure to be sitting down before looking at the prices.

Edit: I think he only carries the Hyperspots in stock, but maybe he can get the other models.

 

[Koan]

They don't sell the Entriq price point, or maybe not yet?

 

[MrJG]

Yeah figured it would be a premium price point. I can’t have suspended lighting where my tank sits so the 90 cm model with legs piqued my interest. I’d prob only be able to run it at 20%!
Perhaps it’s worth firing off an email to find out.