How To Reduce The Amont Of Light...?

[docbanzai]

Hi all, hope I'm posting this in the correct forum... )

I have a Juwel Rekord 120 with a single fluro. However, my fishies seem to hate the light when it comes on. They sink straight to the bottom of the tank or seek cover almost immediately. I don't have any plants so the light is purely for my viewing pleasure!

I have removed the reflector from behind the light, but this still seems to be too bright for them. Is it safe to wrap the tube in greaseprooff paper? Or coloured cellophane (similar to the coloured stuff florists use?)

I know I could buy a replacement tube, but Juwel tanks seem to have odd fittings with sealing 'end-caps' and frankly I'd prefer to avoid the expense!

Any hints?

Thanks in advance.

DB.

 

[Phoenixfish]

someones do it on here with greese proof paper/tracing paper but i dont think you should wrap the bulb in it does it have a waterproof case, if so stick it there and the cellophane melts at low temp, if its the stuff im thinking of

 

[SkiFletch]

Sticking anything directly to the bulb is a bad idea. You could try putting a translucent piece of acryllic or other solid plastic atop your tank lid that could dim the lights

 

[Phoenixfish]

yep, but the acrilic would just end up tinting the light, but that could be a bonus

 

[SkiFletch]

Exactly You can get that opaque semi-translucent acryllic to try. How long do the fish scatter when the lights come on? And do you turn them on first thing in the morning when the background light in the room is low? Mine dont come on till around 12 noon and at that point the shock isnt all that bad since the room is back-lit up a little by the sun

 

[Phoenixfish]

you could add tanin ot the water to make it less bight if you wanted to
what would work quite well wouldnt it?!?

 

[docbanzai]

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

I did remember reading on here that someone had used greaseproof, but I wanted a second opinion as it did sound a bit iffy! I don't think I'll be using that method!

Acrylic sounds like a damn good idea, maybe a nice blue tinted light would do the trick.

In answer to your questions; The fish lurk at the bottom ALL the time the light is on! They really seem to hate it.

The light comes on about 4pm (whilst there is still a good amount of light in the room) and is on until 9pm. Am now wondering if I'm messing with their natural rhythms... Could that be the problem???

I had a bit of a 'Blue Peter' moment yesterday and cobbled together a small battery powered light from 4 blue LED's that I had lying around. Problem is they're high-intensity so when I used it last night it was like being front-row at a Pink Floyd concert. And they didn't like that either. Ho hum... back to the drawing board.

Not sure about the tanin thing. Won't it make the water murky looking? I'd also be concerned about it staining my beautiful(?) collection of plastic decorations

I dunno, years ago when I kept fish it was easy 'cause we used low wattage incandescents that could be easily dimmed. All these darned fangled fluros nowadays...

Thanks again,

DB.

 

[Rooster]

Why dont you try ADDING more light ! You can get a small flourescent tube (or cold cathode, low voltage from a computer shop very cheaply) and put on the "dim" light a hour or so before the main lights ... this would reduce the shock.

 

[Phoenixfish]

and put on the "dim" light a hour or so before the main

that be a very good way of doing it but it will be a bit of a diy job (try the pinned moonlighting topic, that was quite good) but you dont have to use mooonlighting you could get a small light like Rooster said

 

[emma12321]

Or you could just add some floating plants, avoid duckweed as once its in you can't get rid, i chuck bucket loads every week. A tropical lily like nymphea stellata would be nice, just remove excess leaves floating on the surface and you can reduce the light as much as you like.

Emma

 

[BigC]

fFoating plants such as Salvinia will do the trick, they also have the added advantage of making your fish feel more secure and prevent skittish species from trying to leave the aquarium.
Regards
BigC

 

[docbanzai]

Hi, I have now solved the problem courtesy of some blue light gels. The fish are happy (and visible!) now. Big thanks to SkiFletch for the idea, and thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestions, all very much appreciated.

All the best,

DB.

 

[Nim]

I am very surprised that fish like Tiger Barbs and Danios are suppressed by a single fluorescent bulb. They are fish that can handle over 50 times that intensity as their natural habitat is open waters with direct sunlight.

If you have converted your light into a bit blue, then I am sure you will not like the look of the tank after a couple of weeks. Think about getting some warmer temperature bulbs like the Interpet Beauty lamps or Grolux or Arcadia Original Tropical that highlight fish colours and are not too strong on the eyes as well.

As others suggested, get the light timing to go from the time when the room has a fair amount of light. My Tank light comes on about 1 hr after we wake up and it does not chock the fish.

Also, add some shading areas.. it gives the fish a better sense of security then subdued lighting. Maybe lack of any hiding space or any shelter is the one thats causing the fish to behave this way rather then the lights.

Nim

 

[docbanzai]

I am very surprised that fish like Tiger Barbs and Danios are suppressed by a single fluorescent bulb. They are fish that can handle over 50 times that intensity as their natural habitat is open waters with direct sunlight.

If you have converted your light into a bit blue, then I am sure you will not like the look of the tank after a couple of weeks. Think about getting some warmer temperature bulbs like the Interpet Beauty lamps or Grolux or Arcadia Original Tropical that highlight fish colours and are not too strong on the eyes as well.

As others suggested, get the light timing to go from the time when the room has a fair amount of light. My Tank light comes on about 1 hr after we wake up and it does not chock the fish.

Also, add some shading areas.. it gives the fish a better sense of security then subdued lighting. Maybe lack of any hiding space or any shelter is the one thats causing the fish to behave this way rather then the lights.

Nim

My Tigers have always disliked the light. I can only guess that they've had a bad experience in an overly-bright aqaurium before I got them! The Danios aren't so bad but I think they freak out when they see the Tiger's reaction. Since adding the Danios the Tigers have calmed down a bit (in fact they seem a little wary of them!) So I have particularly cowardly Tigers, but I love them and am trying to give them the best possible environment. My lights have always come on mid-afternoon, and there is plenty of cover (including a nice new coconut cave) that they can use. The problem seems to have been solved with the new subdued lighting. All the residents seem happy and unconcerned when the lights go on/off so I can only hope that it's and end to the problem!

Cheers,

DB