Has anyone else experienced weird algae happenings when using actinic bulbs on FW tanks, not just planted tanks?
I Got the Wrong Bulbs!!
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Frankly, I didn't think anyone would try a tank with pure actinics, planted or not. Hence the phrase "If you can stand looking at it." The point was that a 50/50 light will be fine if you like the look.
I would like to see the data regarding inability to grow under actinics. Most plants have their strongest absorbance peaks in the blue range. I did a search for "actinic" on aquabotanic, but only got a single hit, with no real substance regarding growth.
And yes, I have read
this artcicle. It's very useful, but note that most fluorescent bulbs score very closely with regard to PAR.
I would like to see the data regarding inability to grow under actinics. Most plants have their strongest absorbance peaks in the blue range. I did a search for "actinic" on aquabotanic, but only got a single hit, with no real substance regarding growth.
And yes, I have read
this artcicle. It's very useful, but note that most fluorescent bulbs score very closely with regard to PAR.
The threads I was thinking of dealt with k ratings. I think you need a three letter minimum for a search though.
My post was in response to captain's though, not really yours mog...
Nevermind anyway. Its just that everything I've read says that plants prefer the 5500-6700K range- again, because of the sun at noon thing.
I'll just slink back into the grasses...
EDIT: of course, there are exceptions to this rule, the 9325K lights by GE - they really bring out the red though and have a tendency to yellow out the greens.
My post was in response to captain's though, not really yours mog...
Nevermind anyway. Its just that everything I've read says that plants prefer the 5500-6700K range- again, because of the sun at noon thing.
I'll just slink back into the grasses...
EDIT: of course, there are exceptions to this rule, the 9325K lights by GE - they really bring out the red though and have a tendency to yellow out the greens.
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No need to slink. If anything, I was being too offhand, and should slink back to the marine section.
I have heard about the inability of plants to grow under actinic, that there is some need for red, I just haven't seen a good explanation.
I have heard about the inability of plants to grow under actinic, that there is some need for red, I just haven't seen a good explanation.
Ok here's what I've been going on. K rating doesn't mean much...it's the light that the bulb puts out that matters. A very good measure of the light for plants is PAR rating, which is never really shown on packages. PAR rating basically means the usable photosynthesis light available. So an acintic would have a very low PAR rating.
For more info, see this page: http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm
For more info, see this page: http://www.aquabotanic.com/lightcompare.htm
