Exhibits, Shows and Displays

How do I dim my aquarium light?

I can't stand the bright aquarium light over my tank, but I can't see my fish well without it. Is there a way or a knob to durn down the voltage to it so that the light wont be as strong? Or, are there dimmer lights that you have to buy seperately? Thanks :)

Public Comments

1. what you do is by a light with less voltage that should do it
2. The incandescents hoods are quite as bright as the fluorescent. I think the lights are bit bright, I've thought about using a small piece of window tint and laying it over the glass on my hood. Just sitting it there, not actually tinting the glass. Just an idea?
3. YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AQUA RAY BULBS. THEY ARE MADE FOR AQUARIUMS ALSO THEY BRING OUT THE COLORS IN YOUR TANK, JUST REMEMBER TO TURN YOUR AQUARIUM LIGHTS OFF AT NIGHT WHEN YOU GO TO BED,YOUR FISH NEED TO REST TOO.
4. Do you have any live plants in the tank? If so, you don't want to dim them much or it will have an adverse effect on the plants. The best thing to do is get lower wattage bulbs. Your local fish store should have a variety of choices or the company in the link below has good prices online. The small the tank though, the less options you will have.
5. For fluorescent bulbs the window tinting idea is probably best, the hoods are set up to handle a specific wattage bulb and you would need to change at least the starter if not the ballast as well and for that it's cheaper to buy a new hood. For incandescent bulbs you can buy a small in-line dimmer switch from a better hardware store that will work. MM
6. go get bulbs called anitc white they show the colors on the fish better and is more pleasing to the eyes.
7. Some bulbs aren't as bright as others. Your fish look best in bright light. The plants need it if you have them, to a lesser extent, the fish do too, but some will seek shade of plants. If you insist on subduing the light, put a piece of masking tape on the glass of the hood under the bulb. A small strip 1" wide will cut a little light. A 2" strip will cut a bit more. I have done this and removed it at a later time.