Tank Lighting and photography?????

stephanied

stephanied

Member
I am fairly new to this message board, but I have to say that I love this forum!!!
Here's my question. I have a fairly new tank with
2- 250W 14K Hamilton MH bulbs
2- Super Actinic VHO's
(retrofit)
I have noticed that when I photograph my tank, the pictures are very blue, and at times I think the tank looks dark. There are so many great photos on this forum and none look blue. I was hoping someone could tell me if my lights on the tank are causing this or if it could be my camera? I do know the 14K is on the blue side, and corals grow slower under it, but didn't think it would be so blue in photos.
Thanks for any help. :notsure:
 
saltn00b

saltn00b

Active Member
if your camera has light settings, try adjusting the white balance. or if you have photoshop try the auto levels or auto contrast for a one button quick fix... (ctrl-M -> auto)
 
stephanied

stephanied

Member
It's a 90g. My camera is a Minolta Dimage Z2 4 megapixel.
I know my tank should be bigger for a Sailfin, when he outgrows it, I will find a bigger home for him. He's really small right now, about 2 1/2 inches. I also have a Hepatus that's a little bigger.
 
kindbuds2k

kindbuds2k

Member
Great shots! Try to find the option for white balance. That might help get some of the blue out of the pictures. Nice clear pics. Good job!
 
lubeck

lubeck

Active Member
We almost have a similar size tank. I have a 110gal. 30inch high. I was wondering how you like your lighting regardless of the photos? I have 2-250watt 10k mh and 1-150 watt 20k mh and 120watt of pc acnitics.
I really want to change my 10ks to 14's but not sure on how it will look. I like the blue look alot and my corals show more color when just the 120w pcs and the 20k mh are on. Although I don't want my tank to look too dark. So i was just wondering how you like them.
 
stephanied

stephanied

Member
Thanks so much y'all !! :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
I figured out the white balance on my camera, and it worked!! I'm thrilled.
Here are a few pictures; and a shot of the before and after.




 
stephanied

stephanied

Member
Originally Posted by Lubeck
We almost have a similar size tank. I have a 110gal. 30inch high. I was wondering how you like your lighting regardless of the photos? I have 2-250watt 10k mh and 1-150 watt 20k mh and 120watt of pc acnitics.
I really want to change my 10ks to 14's but not sure on how it will look. I like the blue look alot and my corals show more color when just the 120w pcs and the 20k mh are on. Although I don't want my tank to look too dark. So i was just wondering how you like them.
Hi Lubek,
Well my tank has only been set up for a few months, and I don't have any corals yet. I also have VHO Actinics, and I think the VHOs may be the cause of alot of the blue. I have tested the tank with just the MH and it doesn't look dark or blue, to me at all. I'm thinking about switching out the Actinics with daylights after I get my first coral. So far I have been pretty pleased with the MH.
 
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