Dimming lights to simulate environment?

[Mercury2234]

Hi, I have a CoralLife Lighting, each bulb are about 20inch, so maybe 96WATTS?

Anyhoo, I am trying to put on a put driftwood and some plantation to kind of simulate the environment of a Leaf Fish /bichir /eels, but the lighting is so strong! I have already removed one out of the two bulbs, but its still bright!

Anybody has any idea of how to dim it? I was thinking of putting some brown cloth underneath the light, but I am afraid, Im going to burn the house down. Paint??? I dont know about that, its a one shot thing, if I dont like Im in trouble.

Any ideas would be most welcome

 

[bob965]

Shield part of the light with aluminum foil.

 

[Bderick67]

Floating plants, will give a more natural dimming effect.

 

[iloveoscars702]

^ floating plants would look a lot nicer and natural.

 

[nikond70s]

i think the best thing to do is make your tank a blackwater tank, with peat or boil almond leaves. then drop all the leaves inside the tank. that would be perfect for the leaf fish. the blackwater will dim the whole tank making the fish comfortable and a more natural habitat. adding floating plant helps too.

 

[Mercury2234]

Ahh thank you for all the response...

But if I were to put leaves, would that be temporary? Meaning, do I have to keep changing it?

 

[Angler]

Shield part of the light with aluminum foil.

This works very well and is very easy. I did this for my old Rhom tank.

 

[nikond70s]

Ahh thank you for all the response...

But if I were to put leaves, would that be temporary? Meaning, do I have to keep changing it?

yes, you will need to replace the leaves when they start to decay. they last pretty long tho prolly 2-4 weeks. not sure but just replace them when they start to decay. the leaves are perfect for your leaf fish.