Lighting Options
 

Hello everyone. I picked up some neon tetras for my tank the other day, and they seem to just hover around the bottom in one or two groups. They aren't excited to feed like my danios are. I've determined that they are stressed, most likely due to my lighting situation. My current light is an older 24" 5500K Daylight Flourescent tube. The bulb does not have any wattage rating on it. I guess my question is what would a good replacement be, or do I need to replace my bulb now? The tank is 29G and is planted, mostly with Amazon Swords. After some reading I realize I need some surface plants to dim the tank a bit, but I was just wondering if I should use less light. Thanks in advance for any and all input!

Your light is fine. I have the same basic thing over my 29g, a single T8 tube 24 inches (think it is 20w, they are standard for the length). With a daylight tube you will be able to grow many plants adequately.

Floating plants are almost always a benefit. Most of the fish we maintain occur in dimly-lit waters, neons being one of those. They may be still adjusting to a new environment, and that can take a while. But normally they will be more comfortable with floating plants, a "roof" over them, so I would look into something like Water Sprite. Brazilian Pennywort, a stem plant, actually grows very well floating, I now have it in several tanks. Having some large plants in the substrate also helps; swords like Echinodorus bleherae and Echinodorus major work well.

Byron.

Thanks for the advice, Byron. Would duckweed be a decent choice, or should I just stick with water sprite, like you mentioned?
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I have duckweed in some tanks, but not as the sole floating plant. I find it really does not work well as "shade" on its own. The leaves of something like Water Sprite or even Pennywort allow open spaces between, which is a more natural feel, and the extensive roots dangling down are not only attractive but favoured browsing sites for fish. Fish will readily spawn among them too.