Coralife (Energy Savers) ACLAF503 Colormax 15-watt Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb, 18-Inch

• Coralife is one of the market's leading manufacturers of premium aquarium products
• The light simulates the sun at high noon with a slight cloud haze
• ColorMax lamps provide a rich light that enhances the natural beauty of the aquarium and its inhabitants

I have tried for years to find a good bulb for lighting (both in the house and the aquarium) that renders colors as well as incandescent or halogen, but without a yellow tinge. I think that by now we should be able to reproduce the full spectrum of sunlight artificially without making it feel harsh, cold, or unnatural. Apparently technology hasn't caught up to my expectations. No fluorescent bulb looks like pure white sunlight.

I originally rated this bulb a two, because I wanted a pure white light that made the tank look the same as it does in sunlight. If that's what you're looking for, don't buy this bulb. Unfortunately, don't buy any fluorescent bulb. I tried about four different bulbs by different makers of high quality fluorescent bulbs before I tried colormax. Since it wasn't the natural look I wanted, I tried six more bulbs, again by different manufacturers at different color temperatures. I've spent over two hundred dollars and still haven't found a bulb that doesn't have a yellow, blue, red, or purple tinge. This bulb has a purple tinge, by the way. However, after a couple months of searching and trying bulbs of all kinds, I keep putting this one back in as my default bulb. It's not exactly what I was looking for, but it does make my blue dwarf gourami, yellow molly, and red guppy stand out nicely, just not the same color they have under sunlight.

If you want a bulb that looks as close to white sunlight, this is at best a 2/5. But, if you want a bulb that makes the colors of your fish look brighter, deeper, and more vibrant (and you don't care if the colors of your fish look like the would in sunlight), then this bulb gets a 4/5.

The average is 3/5. So, depending on what you want, take the rating with a grain of salt. Unless I can find something I like more, I'll keep using this.

Buy Coralife (Energy Savers) ACLAF503 Colormax 15-watt Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb, 18-Inch Now

This is my first colormax or cheater bulb as they are called. It really does bring out the color of the fish and the fake coral I have. It gives everything a pinkish/purplish tint which I don't mind.

Not good for live plants.

Read Best Reviews of Coralife (Energy Savers) ACLAF503 Colormax 15-watt Fluorescent Aquarium Bulb, 18-Inch Here

These bulbs made a huge difference in the appearance of my tropicals! All of the colors are so much more vibrant and the contrast in plant colors is vey noticeable. Wish that I had purchased these at the beginning.