Light Idea...

[Amaroq]

I recently bought a whole new lid for my 55 gallon. The light on this is just 1 long flourescent tube and id like to dim it somehow without tinkering with it and without buying a new bulb so ive come up with these ideas.

1. Take out the reflecter and see how bright it is without it.
2. Buy the coloured transparent plastic and put it over my glass so the light go's throw that and it changes the colour without buying a new bulb.
3. Tape or paint the front of the bulb (the side facing to the water) and make it so the only light that gets there the light reflected off the reflecting and if thats to high take out the reflecter. (Tapes ideas, black eletric tape, Black hockey tape or Duct tape )
4. Buy a dimmer.

Now im a little worried about # 3, im worried that when im taking off the tape ill damage the bulb and be forced to buy a whole new bulb, should i be worried about peeling off the tape and damaging the bulb?

Thanks,
AQ

 

[Mystix212]

I wouldnt do number 3, however nu,mber 2 sounds pretty good. 4 is best must ultimately most expensive.

 

[Bud8Fan]

Don't buy a dimmer. Most all fluorescents CAN NOT be dimmed.

There are a few CFL's on the market that can but I haven't seen any readily available tubes yet that can be dimmed.

 

[hayden]

go to home depot and get some florescent light defuser its like thin textured acrylic it should work.

 

[Dr Joe]

I recently bought a whole new lid for my 55 gallon. The light on this is just 1 long flourescent tube and id like to dim it somehow without tinkering with it and without buying a new bulb so ive come up with these ideas.

1. Take out the reflecter and see how bright it is without it.

Slide some black paper behind the lamp temporarily.

.

2. Buy the coloured transparent plastic and put it over my glass so the light go's throw that and it changes the colour without buying a new bulb.
3. Tape or paint the front of the bulb (the side facing to the water) and make it so the only light that gets there the light reflected off the reflecting and if thats to high take out the reflecter. (Tapes ideas, black eletric tape, Black hockey tape or Duct tape )

Colored plasyic works.

No problem taping or painting the bulb (have done it for years).

You can also get the safety covers (plastic tubes that fit over lamps) in clear plastic at HD and tint or paint them.
.

4. Buy a dimmer.

Nope won't work.

.

Now im a little worried about # 3, im worried that when im taking off the tape ill damage the bulb and be forced to buy a whole new bulb, should i be worried about peeling off the tape and damaging the bulb?

No problem there, just be careful since it is thin glass.


Dr Joe

.

 

[Nic]

hmm you know if you look arround you can find bulbs really cheap most of the time as cheap as a roll of tape.... my 2 powerglo 48" 18k bulbs cost me brand new both were 8 bucks stores are always having sales.....

 

[Dr Joe]

hmm you know if you look arround you can find bulbs really cheap most of the time as cheap as a roll of tape.... my 2 powerglo 48" 18k bulbs cost me brand new both were 8 bucks stores are always having sales.....

What store? Chain or local?

 

[cichlid savage]

Simply buying a new bulb seems to be the least troublesome way to fix the problem.

 

[Amaroq]

Also this is a freshwater tank so i wont be buying on of those $$$ coral bulbs, Ill think ill try #2 as i like that one the best because im going to be setting up a african fish tank (NOT cichlids) and i need to lower my lights, any suggestions for light colour?

Thanks,
AQ