How to change background color on highlight effect?

How to change background color on highlight effect?

I just don't understand how/where to add the argument 'color' to change the background color used in the highlight effect. It only works with the default color.

This works:
  1. $("#secondary-menu").effect("highlight", {}, 3000);
Now where to add the color? I thought just like so for example:

  1. $("#secondary-menu").effect("highlight", {"#b1b1b1"}, 3000);

I tried some other stuff but can't get it to work. Any help?