How Can I Make My Lighting Subdued?

[lgarvey]

Hi,

I have a T8 lighting unit on my 4 ft fish tank with two bulbs. One if a marine actinic, the other came with the tank is a kind of a slightly green coloured white bulb.

I just noticed that when I move the lighting unit and rest it on top of the sides of the tank, so that I can do some tank maintenance, the reduced light makes the fish really cool!

So I want to try and recreate that low level lighting, that'll probably help with algae too. The fish are mbuna, so there's no plants that need to be kept.

However, if I turn off the white light, it goes disco purple / blue, and if I turn off the actinic light, it goes off green and dull.

Is there a different type of low light bulb, or some other solution to cut down light levels in teh tank?

L

 

[bitteraspects]

Hi,

I have a T8 lighting unit on my 4 ft fish tank with two bulbs. One if a marine actinic, the other came with the tank is a kind of a slightly green coloured white bulb.

I just noticed that when I move the lighting unit and rest it on top of the sides of the tank, so that I can do some tank maintenance, the reduced light makes the fish really cool!

So I want to try and recreate that low level lighting, that'll probably help with algae too. The fish are mbuna, so there's no plants that need to be kept.

However, if I turn off the white light, it goes disco purple / blue, and if I turn off the actinic light, it goes off green and dull.

Is there a different type of low light bulb, or some other solution to cut down light levels in teh tank?

L

are you looking for a permanent subdued lighting setup or more like a moonlighting rig that will only be used occasionally?

 

[kj23502]

Can you just leave your lights in the other position? I guess I don't really know how your lighting is setup w/out any pics either.

 

[Truck]

duckweed? or some other floating plant

 

[chesterscot]

yeah trucks right get some floating plants like amazon frogbit the fish will aprreciate them too
scot

 

[lgarvey]

Hi,

I don't think plants are an option. My malawis will shred them to pieces!

I can't leave the light in that position. It's when I pulled the lid off the tank, removed the lighting unit -- which sits on top fo a glass drip tray, and kidn of rested it diagonally on the back and sides of the tank temporarily.

I already have moon lights, I'm after something that is subdued ... just a lower level white light.

Hmmmm..

L

 

[Nick16]

how about this then (yes i know its a good idea )

leave the lights where they normally are and get some grease proof paper and cover them (so they are not touching of course) therefore some light will penetrate but not as much. (or you can use another translucent material)

 

[aaronnorth]

duckweed should grow quick enough to keep up with malawis. besides, i am sure that somebody will be willing to send it out for a price of a 1st class stamp.

 

[lgarvey]

Kind of like this: - http/www.cichlidforums.com/gallery/data/.../mbuna_tank.jpg

 

[lgarvey]

OK two good options - duck weed and / or some kind of film. Hmm.

I don't know if there'd be an issue with the malawis stuffing themselves to death on the duck weed? I know they'll gorge, given the chance, and that their food intake needs to be controlled!?

I'm also thnking about what kind of film could be used to make it darker.

L

 

[lgarvey]

instead of how it currently is: http/www.lyndongarvey.co.uk/tank.jpg (too much light)

L

 

[bitteraspects]

Hi,

I don't think plants are an option. My malawis will shred them to pieces!

I can't leave the light in that position. It's when I pulled the lid off the tank, removed the lighting unit -- which sits on top fo a glass drip tray, and kidn of rested it diagonally on the back and sides of the tank temporarily.

I already have moon lights, I'm after something that is subdued ... just a lower level white light.

Hmmmm..

L

you will either want to find a lower wattage bulb, if you can find one, or go with a smaller light strip for your tank. if you have a 4' tank, maybe get a 2 or 3' light for it. i do this for some of my datnoid tanks, because they prefer subdued lighting. 4' strip on a 6' tank, and just push the strip over to one side, so they can decide where they want to hang out in the tank

sorry, also forgot to add option 3.

hardware stores sell different kinds of lighting diffuser. if you double stack eggcrate, is should have the effect youre going for, or perhaps see what else they have available. its relatively cheap and easy to cut to size.

best of luck

 

[humpy_the_humphead_wrasse]

god damn how the hell does someone afford so much of that rock! the same stuff here is worth 100$ for pieces a quarter the size of yours!!

ENVY

 

[theshadowinc]

god damn how the hell does someone afford so much of that rock! the same stuff here is worth 100$ for pieces a quarter the size of yours!!

ENVY

lol