Not sure if I'm doing this right I couldnt figure out how to create a post but I found this article starting so here we go..
However a highly contevertial topic among the hobby ive only found arguments and general evidence here and there about lighting specteums and plant growth. Theres lots out there pointing toward a full spectrum/white light range for the best visual colors and growth rate. However im in the hobby not only because i enjoy it but also as a means to further expand my knowledge every day.
What i have been researching and testing is the benefits of lighting that targets the most common light absorption wavelengths in the uv and visible spectrum to promote pigment production, protien synthesis, amino synthesis etc. Rather than growing plants very fast. I've compiled a list of the most common pigments found in plants and the light wavelengths they absorb at the peaks thus insuring an efficiency factor minimizing waste light resulting in less chance of algae production and more par being used vs energy used to produce it, ie if using 100 par at substrate of full spectrum the absorption range is very little of the total projected wavelength rather than reflected then 100 par of an absorption focused wavelength should mean more light being absorbed/used by any given plant.
Now let's not get too hung up or upset when I say light absorbed is light used bc it simply is, it may not be used for photosynthesis but it certainly is used in many biosynthetic pathways as well as heat transfer further driving biosynthesis. Furthermore plants are very efficient in this realm by using absorbed energy for photosynthesis even though the chloroplasts arent directly absorbing the photons. Many say this is pointless but if you think about it if you're really an aquatic plant enthusiast then why would trying to improve certain aspects and health values of the plant be pointless?
I'm sure I've forgotten some but I will post some photos of my test tank which is a 20 long(innovative marine peninsula), ph is 5.8-6 with co2 injection(havnt tested offgas in a while so idk the specific drop), we need to test alkalinity and hardness as it's been a while for that aswell lol... but as far as controls the tank is dosed thrive + via an autodoser 3x a day (8am,10am,12pm), lighting is an oddysea quad t5ho with hortilux 420,460,633,660 bulbs 420,633 8am-2pm 460,660 10am-4pm and a sunblaster woth an agromax pure uv for uvb supplementation from 12pm-2pm I believe, water changes use pure ro water no remineralizing roughly 50% in january I will be adding another auto dosing pump for a 5% nightly auto waterchange ome waste line one ro line.
However a highly contevertial topic among the hobby ive only found arguments and general evidence here and there about lighting specteums and plant growth. Theres lots out there pointing toward a full spectrum/white light range for the best visual colors and growth rate. However im in the hobby not only because i enjoy it but also as a means to further expand my knowledge every day.
What i have been researching and testing is the benefits of lighting that targets the most common light absorption wavelengths in the uv and visible spectrum to promote pigment production, protien synthesis, amino synthesis etc. Rather than growing plants very fast. I've compiled a list of the most common pigments found in plants and the light wavelengths they absorb at the peaks thus insuring an efficiency factor minimizing waste light resulting in less chance of algae production and more par being used vs energy used to produce it, ie if using 100 par at substrate of full spectrum the absorption range is very little of the total projected wavelength rather than reflected then 100 par of an absorption focused wavelength should mean more light being absorbed/used by any given plant.
Now let's not get too hung up or upset when I say light absorbed is light used bc it simply is, it may not be used for photosynthesis but it certainly is used in many biosynthetic pathways as well as heat transfer further driving biosynthesis. Furthermore plants are very efficient in this realm by using absorbed energy for photosynthesis even though the chloroplasts arent directly absorbing the photons. Many say this is pointless but if you think about it if you're really an aquatic plant enthusiast then why would trying to improve certain aspects and health values of the plant be pointless?
I'm sure I've forgotten some but I will post some photos of my test tank which is a 20 long(innovative marine peninsula), ph is 5.8-6 with co2 injection(havnt tested offgas in a while so idk the specific drop), we need to test alkalinity and hardness as it's been a while for that aswell lol... but as far as controls the tank is dosed thrive + via an autodoser 3x a day (8am,10am,12pm), lighting is an oddysea quad t5ho with hortilux 420,460,633,660 bulbs 420,633 8am-2pm 460,660 10am-4pm and a sunblaster woth an agromax pure uv for uvb supplementation from 12pm-2pm I believe, water changes use pure ro water no remineralizing roughly 50% in january I will be adding another auto dosing pump for a 5% nightly auto waterchange ome waste line one ro line.
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