Subdued Lighting?

[amcalab]

I am planning on a school (~12) Harlequin or Espei Rasbora in my 29 gallon tank. All of the profiles I've seen suggest that these guys like subdued lighting to show their full color. I currently have an All-Glass Deluxe Hood with 1 Full Spectrum Fluorecent bulb. Will that light be too bright and wash my fish out - even with black substrate and background? I hope not. But if so, how does one create subdued lighting.

I've read that I should have floating plants. But, I am using plastic plants and I haven't seen any of the floating variety. Plus, I don't want my tank to look cluttered.

Another option might be to replace the fluorecent with some kind of spot lighting (either above the glass or submerged). Are there such products? And how expensive are they? This hobby is $30 dollaring me to death - $30 here, $30 there

 

[Nerwign]

I can't help with the lighting, but I just got some plastic plants that are 30" tall and in my 18" tall aquarium, they provide not only bushy plant part in the water, but they have some floating on the surface as well. You might consider getting something 1.5 or 2 times the height of your aquarium and letting it float at the top like that.

The fish should be happier and it looks really fantastic in the aquarium.

-Nerwign

 

[BigC]

The floating plant....Salvinia natans will suit your needs. (grows very quickly) I use it for my Killifish tanks as bright light tends to wash out their beautiful colouration.
Regards
BigC

 

[andyt_uk]

there are several different types of fluorescant tube you can get
my tank takes 2 tubes and i have a warm white & an actinic marine blue which gives a nice subdued light which might help the blue glow however will wash out some colours especially reds.
when new all bulbs are very bright - plant coverage may help and over time your bulbs will dull

migh even be worth seeing if someone you know has an old tube you could use...

underwater led spots may also be an option, not something i know about though