aquarium lighting

[Yardbent]

new here and need some guidance about lighting a fish tank - its large about 38galls - 3ft long

new to digital - a Nikon D40 with kit lens 18-55 and took this shot on "auto"

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=72700

then bought 55-200 AF-S DX VR and an SB-400 Speedlight from this forum
also a Konig light stand and a TTL off-camera cord from FITP

so.. i can have the SB400 on the stand with the TTL cord from the D40 [on tripod]
in addition, a very old Starblitz flash "slave" on a mini-tripod
what i need now is some ideas of lighting the tank.............

with the camera in front of the tank - shall i have the SB400 over the surface to liven the back scales and the slave pointing in the end to highlight the eyes ?

i could just experiment with layouts but it would be very helpful if somebody had experience of this ...
BTW .. I am looking to move off "Auto" and use Aperture Priority
thanks

 

[david1701]

put the flash in the water see how that lights it?

 

[Daryl]

what tank is it? Tropical or Marine? with Marine you will have 3 tubes. or 50/50 Metal Halide & Actinic Combo.

Fresh water Tropical standard fluorescents

you can always sort lighting out in CS.

you dont need to light the tank. you should be able to use the lighting available. Switch all abient light off so you are shooting in a dark room. Cover yourself and tank with a dark cloth if need be. No reflections.

you'll be fine.

Shoot on manual and adjust ASA to suit. Open your lens up so you have shallow Depth of field. And use 125th shutter.......

auto modes? No need for them. Use a good lightmeter

 

[Yardbent]

Daryl
thanks for the advice......freshwater tank with total 120W T5 compact tubes rated 71000K
not into image processing yet .... next learning curve...!

 

[bobsbabes]

what tank is it? Tropical or Marine? with Marine you will have 3 tubes. or 50/50 Metal Halide & Actinic Combo.

what about leds ???
we have marines and a largish tank about 120 gallons