Tank light help... Betta will hate it the way it is now. :(

My betta is currently in a 5g and I've been cycling a 10g for him.

Problem is the light is SO BRIGHT. See for yourself.


I think my betta will hate it being so bright. Any ideas on how to fix it?

When I put the blue rocks in and added water I couldn't believe how bright the rocks looked - it almost hurts my eyes. If I changed it to black gravel or some other color do you think that would help?

The hood is the Aqueon Deluxe LED hood, and came with a Day White bulb. But they also sell a Color Max, Beauty Max, and Max Blue light I could use instead. I've tried to figure out how the brightness compares between the bulbs and even looked on You Tube to see if anyone has done a comparison between the 4 bulbs but didn't see anything. Also, I am BRAND NEW to plants so I'm also not sure how those lights would impact the plants.

Is there something I could lay between the light and the glass top that wouldn't be a fire hazard and would reduce the light that's getting in? Maybe something like those dark/thick plastic screen protectors you can lay over a computer monitor people use for privacy or to block blue light or whatever. That may not be a viable solution, I'm just making stuff up here. It's a standard set up with the hood resting on a glass plate:



I could get some floating plants that would block the light, but as I mentioned I am a total newbie at plants. If possible I'd like to get a good handle on caring for the 3 plants I added to the tank yesterday before moving on to other varieties. If that's the best solution though I'll do it.

My last thought is to darken the water with IAL/tannins I know my betta will like that, and I do want him to be happy (it's the sole reason I've decided to delve into plants) but I really would like to avoid having brownish water if at all possible.

What are your ideas? Thank you so much!

 

Weather or not your Betta will not like it depends on the fish. Mine is totally not shy and doesn't care. Some are shy though and would not like it. You will have to see.

My step Dad used some electric tape and blocked a few of the lights....just a thought.

 

Weather or not your Betta will not like it depends on the fish. Mine is totally not shy and doesn't care. Some are shy though and would not like it. You will have to see.

My step Dad used some electric tape and blocked a few of the lights....just a thought.

Where exactly did he put the electric tape?

 

Some floating plants grow very quickly. I have salvinia natans and it grew into a mat in a few weeks.

You could also get an inline dimmer switch. Lutron Credenza 100-Watt Plug-In Lamp CFL-LED Dimmer - White-TTCL-100H-WH - The Home Depot

 

Where exactly did he put the electric tape?

I believe he put it on the LED its self. You have glass so it won't get wet. Worth a try. I don't think it could be a fire hazard since its for electric and won't block a vent or anything.

 

or duckweed.

 

or duckweed.View attachment 737983

Yeah, I've heard that. So please don't tell me to get duckweed. Haha. So... What else you got kansas?

 

I agree that floating plants would be a great solution. The tannins should also work. I've heard that the more tannin-y water will feel safer and may result in the lights not seeming as bright.

You could also double-down on plants and get some taller, faster-growing plants. I got some "betta bulbs" at petco when I first set up my 10gal and they've gone crazy, and frequently the leaves grow tall enough that they reach the surface of the water and spread out, shading the plants below. They also look very jungle-y, and I bet a betta would feel safe in them.

That said, I bet putting black sand/gravel down would also go a long way towards making the light seem less bright.