I have a 55 gallon planted tank with fish. After much research and reading, I now realize that I have too much light (Cora life: 4 65Watt 6700K lights), not enough plants and not dosing enough fertilzer for the type of tank I would like to maintain. I would like to use the Excel dosing method, and am able to use just two bulbs for 130 watts of lights, which from what I can gather from my research, this is still too much light. I do have the light raised 4 inches from the tank. My question is, will a film of tissue paper or some other substance help to bring down the intensity of my lighting?

Raising the lights, and using only half the bulbs should be adequate. I would guess that raising them reduced their effective wattage down to 110 or lower. And, that should be low enough if you use Excel. I wouldn't try tissue paper because it just might catch on fire. But, you could use something else, like window screen wire.

If youre looking for something to put over the lights several years ago i found a theater supply website and they sold cloth coverings for stage lights. Most of them were to change the color but i believe the plain white ones were for dimming purposes. Being for stage lights they were heat resistant. Sorry i dont have a site or anything.

Have the same size tank I am only using 2- 65watt 6700K and get some natural daylight. I cut back from 12 hrs steady and have a 2 hr rest period. Using CO2 and seachem dosing 10% water change every 10 days and no algae and decenct growth. I was going to get new bulbs but I am not sure as I was going to ask MR BARR if I go to 65w 10,000 K if its better. Best reading and using all of Mr. Barrs postings. I have a GEORGOUIS 29 Bowfront and trying to follow the same on this 55. (PS info on the bulbs and suggestions would be appreciated too)_ old and tired from hurricanes.

What type and how many plants do you have? Do you have any fish in the tank? I have cut back to 2 65w bulbs, I usually leave the light on for 12 hours and some natural daylight. Maybe I will cut it back to 10 hours. I have been battling algae. I do a 40-50% weekly water change, and I have only been using Seachem flourish comprehensive and excell. I am not using any CO2. I am going to add more plants this week. I currently have 2 swords, 3 corkscrew val, 2 cyrpt (red and green),. crypt sprialis, wendtii. Some wisteria, bacopia, bacomoba (not doing so well). I haven't quite decided on the CO2. What are you using to add CO2 into your tank?