"Filtering" aquarium light?

[thedogzoo]

Hi everyone. I am wondering if there is some way to filter the light on our aquarium? We have Red Eye Tetras and they freak out whenever the light is turned on...the panda cory's seem to fine with it on.I currently have a Marine-Glo light on the tank, my reasoning was that the blue color would be less stressful/frightening for them and it has helped a little bit, but I would like to do more.We do not have live plants, so lighting is not an issue other than to check on the fish and clean the tank. I also tried "training" the fish...every time I turned on the light, they got food or a treat, but no luck and I had a messy tank!!! Any ideas out there on how I can filter/dim the light? Thanks! J

[Raskolnikov]

I simply place pieces of cardboard between the light and the hood in order to give the lighting effect that I'm looking for:
http://tinypic.com/ezkidk.jpg

[ack.z06]

I've been having the same problem with my rummy nose tetra. I did something very simular to Raskolnikov... I took a piece of black construction paper and cut slits in it to let the light filter through like through the leave of dense tree tops. It has definitely helped to calm the fish down and they will now swim around the open areas of the tank rather than just under the (fake) plants.

The rummy nose and many other tetra prefer a low light environment, something to do with being from the Amazon. I don't know the specifics of your tetra, but you should be able to find some more info by googling them.

[Holly9937]

Any dangers to having cardboard or paper up against the hot lights all day?? That would make me nervous :D

[OrionGirl]

I would try changing the light timing so that there is more ambient light in the room before the tank lights come on. This way, it's not as drastic a change. You can also add some easy floating plants, like duckweed or lillies that will cover the surface and reduce the light that makes it through to the fish. Duckweed is super easy--you'll end up removing handfuls of the stuff, and it helps with water quality issues as well.

[ack.z06]

Holly, as long as you're using flouresant lights I think you will be OK

OrionGirl, great idea on the duckweed. It certainly is a more natural solution and there is the bonus of the plant reducing nitrates and adding O2. Personally I've been staying away from real plants in the tank for now, but I'll do some more research on the duckweed. If its as easy to take care of as you make it sound that will probably be my next step.

[Holly9937]

I saw some fake floating lillies in a magazine that weren't too bad looking, plus floating at the top you won't see them too much. I thought about getting some myself, but never got around to it!! It might have been at www.bigalsonline.com ??

[Raskolnikov]

Holly,

I've been doing the cardboard trick for years, so I feel safe in recommending it to others.

Floating (faux) plants are another way that I cut light for my fishes, as all of them are more comfortable in dim lighting.
As you can see, the majority of my tanks are very dimly lit, which is condusive for the optimal viewing of my fish. Having no live plants gives me this option.
http://tinypic.com/f09cpc.jpg
All of the floating foliage has made just about any fish that I've kept more outgoing and comfortable in the tanks. The added security keeps them out and at least semi-active during the day.

[zoid]

Has anyone out there tried any of the "gel" for theatre lighting on the hood of their tank? I keep meaning to swipe some from work, but as yet haven't tried it.

[Holly9937]

Ras, I love the plants at the top of the tanks :thm: !!! And they're fake?!!? Do you know what they are, or where you got them? They look much better than the stupid lilly pad things I thought about getting :laugh:

[Raskolnikov]

Thanks, Holly. Yes, they're all fake. They're called "Fancy Plants", and made by Aquarium Systems.
They're available from most online retailers, and I get mine from one of the better LFS in my area.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=12124&N=2004+113149

[Holly9937]

Thanks for the link!! Of course I JUST ordered from them the other day :duh: !! So, it doesn't say that those are floating plants, do they come with any kind of base and you just don't use it? It looks like you only have one type in each of your tanks, do you have more than one piece in each tank? And do they move around the surface, or stay in one place for the most part?

These beautiful giant plants gently billow with water movement and pool at the water's surface. :duh: OOOPS!!

[Raskolnikov]

I try, to some degree, to limit the different types of plant representatives in my tanks, I feel it looks a little better that way.

To give you perspective, the first photo is a 30g tank, and there is 1 Giant Asparagus plant floating in it. The second tank is a 55g with two Giant Bamboo and 1 Philodendron vine. The third photo down is a 75g with 8 Philodendron vines, and the last tank is a 210g with 10 Giant Asparagus.

The bases come off very easily (and go back on), so I remove them for the surface plants. The only tank where the plants moved constantly was the 210g, so I secured 2 of the plants to the lid with some 50lb monofilament and the entire mass stopped turning.

Let me know if I can answer anymore questions.

[thornious]

I actually painted my blub blue then removed my the paint partially unil I got the right amount of light. I have serpae tetras and they love the lower level of light. They used to hide all day under the plants now they are out most of the time. :-)