Aquarium Light
• This is a subject that involves two distinct parts: plants/animal necessities and the “presentation” or in other words human eye perception of color and light.
• The first part has a lot to do with the “usable” light from the plants perspective. Plants are not able to use mainly green light and reflect it back in the environment so consequently we see them as being green.
•The three principal pigments that plants use for photosynthesis (Chlorophyll a, b and Carotenoids) use a lot of blue and red from the visible light spectrum. So we can use for extreme efficiency, if looks are not important, just light with those wave lengths. Plants will grow like crazy and your electricity bill will be very small. The down side that you probably anticipate, is that beautiful green leafs, willappear black under those lightning conditions.
•NASA experimented with plant growth under red and blue LEDs and the cultures although thriving looked something like that:
• The first part has a lot to do with the “usable” light from the plants perspective. Plants are not able to use mainly green light and reflect it back in the environment so consequently we see them as being green.
•The three principal pigments that plants use for photosynthesis (Chlorophyll a, b and Carotenoids) use a lot of blue and red from the visible light spectrum. So we can use for extreme efficiency, if looks are not important, just light with those wave lengths. Plants will grow like crazy and your electricity bill will be very small. The down side that you probably anticipate, is that beautiful green leafs, willappear black under those lightning conditions.
•NASA experimented with plant growth under red and blue LEDs and the cultures although thriving looked something like that:
Human light perception is different than what plants need. It is more complex. We are especially sensitive to green light and need a little bit of all the visible wave lengths of the light spectrum to see colors correctly and appreciate our environment.
Artificial light sources are often emitting on only some of the visible wavelengths of the light spectrum thus fulfilling neither plant nor human needs.
Color temperature is a subjective factor in human eye light perception. White light cold or warm is measured in Kelvin degrees and it is a testimonial to the wide range of light wave length combinations that we perceive as being white.
Artificial light sources are often emitting on only some of the visible wavelengths of the light spectrum thus fulfilling neither plant nor human needs.
Color temperature is a subjective factor in human eye light perception. White light cold or warm is measured in Kelvin degrees and it is a testimonial to the wide range of light wave length combinations that we perceive as being white.
•Links to relevant information:
•The following diagram shows how the light used for plant growth in aquarium should be. This is an ideal solution that should serve only as a goal for aquarists. We should try different combinations of light sources, to get as close as possible to the optimum solution. The results are a matter of personal taste if plant requirements are meet.