What is the difference between aquarium lights and growing lights for plants?
By crittercare in Fish on November 26th, 2009
I know wattage and Kelvin are what you look for. But what are the ratings for both aquarium and growing lights?
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11/26/2009 at 7:44 am
Growing lights [in the actinic range] are for aquariums but not the other way around. Most matel halide lights will do for both, but don’t expect to grow plants under a normal flourescent bulb.
11/26/2009 at 8:00 am
You could research this forever..
Plants can be an insanely challenging hobby alone.
Most master plant keepers could care less what fish are in there tank as most are in there just to preform a job.
I’ll try and keep simple and short but i doubt i can do it.
You got 2 choices…….. low light or high light,
The key to success is balance between substrate light CO2 and ferts.
One of these is out and you will one 1 or a combo of all 6 types of algae out there.
http://theplantedtank.co.uk/algae.htm
The number one cause of planted tank problems is uncontrolled and fluctuating CO2 levels.
Good news low light setups need no co2 injection at all and any filter will work ( surface agitation is a no no in high light set ups as all the co2 escapes.)
High light set ups are crazy fun and fustrating and expensive so plan a budget of about $400 – 800 bucks.
Eco complete is the best substrate regardless of light.
In regards to your question plants feed off of red and blue light in the spectrum. A bit of green is added to make the plants look nice to you but the plants themselves don’t need it.
6700k is the perfect colour of light a good mid day sun intensity. Plants eat this light as it starts there photosynthesis engine.
Aswell intensity matters big time…light is your plants gas pedal. More light more hyper the plant.
I’ve have a tank with 5 watts per gallon to grow alot of red, purple and orange plants.
Aqaurium lights are less intense and the spectrum used is more for your visable pleasure (alot of green)more than feeding plants.
sorry for running off…..
try “the Krib” for an archive of info.
good luck