Help with dimming the fluorescent?

[fjolliff]

Hi, sorry to post again so soon, but my sister has a question about something I didn't even think of...


Our neon tetras keep hiding from the fluorescent light... Is there a non-permanent way to make the light dim that won't get ruined if it gets wet, and won't catch fire being so close to the bulb on our hood? there is a glass window on the top to separate the light from the tank.

We'd like to see our tetras swimming when we can actually see them, but the light scares them, also our female betta likes it better in the light. My male betta is in an unlighted tank because he's close enough that the light from the 20gal illuminates him as well. I don't mind having to get a small light for my betta, but the light is too bright for the tetra as it stands.

We've heard of using car window tinting, but we don't want the dimming to be permanent in case we use the tank for something else in the future that requires a brighter light.

[genocidex]

black window screening can dim the lights quite well, i was planning on doing that then i decided to go with some floating plants. but i have a planted tank set up with high light so im not sure the floaters would work for you.

[Dennis Bissett]

Try a sheet of dark cellophane on top of the tank, or something between the tank and flouro so theres no direct light

[mizzoutank]

are you sure it is the light vs your stock?

Neons are shy until they are in proper schools and arent threatened by a predator (i.e bigger fish)

[pckroeger]

I m not 100% sure but I believe you can buy dimmers that attach the the plug of the lights (like a plug adapter). I think you can buy ones that can dim your lights as well as put a timer on them to erase the worry of forgetting to turn them on and off. Google search aquarium light timer dimmer, they don't seem too expensive and would be easy to remove if you wanted to, just unplug the adapter :)

[pckroeger]

Additionally, if you want to keep light for the betta, get a bunch of floating plants so there are dim spots for the neons and bright spots for the betta in your tank :)

[mizzoutank]

Forcing Dimmers on a bulb fixture will burn it out faster.

They do make film at homedepot/lowes that can cover what you are looking for and be rated for temperatures.

Also, could hang the light higher above the tank?