Re: [APD] Actinics, 10,000Ks, and Mood.

[pottedliz at comcast_net]

Hi, I'm new to the list.

The answer to your question is "it depends".  The information about chloroophyll is correct (although there is a 3rd type -- chlorophyll c -- but unless you are planning to grow a kelp forest you probably don't care).  The question is whether you are already providing enough light to saturate the chlorophyll receptors.  If your plants are already getting as much light as they can use then adding any sort of bulb will only add heat.  The only way I know of to find out if your plants are currently saturated with blue (or any other color) of light is to add a bulb and see what happens.  

The owner of my LFS has Current USA Orbits and Satellites on his tanks at home and swears that the actinics make a big difference in plant growth.  I'm not certain they are needed -- bulbs from 6700K up produce a lot of light in the blue region as may be seen by the spectra in your link.  

If you like the mood I'd give it a shot.  I'm planning to try the comination out on a new tank.

Liz

-------------- Original message -------------- 

> Googled this post here back in 02/04 titled: Tough Actin' 
> Actinic -- or - Home in the Range: 
> 
> http://fins.actwin.com/aquatic-plants/month.200402/msg00271.html 
> 
> Then went here to look at some spectrum charts: 
> 
> http://www.championlighting.com/e/env/0001DzOC4dVVRYgdB06V9k9/Products/Lighting/ 
> lighting.html?link=/Products/Lighting/pclamps.html 
> 
> I've noticed that some of the LFS are putting either actinic or 
> 10,000K lights over planted tanks, and I kinda like the dark 
> brooding atmosphere it creates. It appears that the Smartlamp at 
> Champion Lighting, combining an actinic with a 10,000K in a dual 
> tube CF would saturate the blue end of the spectrum for 
> chlorophyll production while also providing in the red end. The 
> working assumption being that Hovanec is right when he says: 
> 
> "Plants have two types of chlorophyll, a and b. Chlorophyll a 
> absorbs light at 405 and 640 nm. Chlorophyll b has a peak 
> absorption at 440 and 620 nm." 
> 
> http://www.marinelandlabs.com/articles/31Lighting.asp 
> 
> If I wanted to create a dark moody "end of the eddy" riverbank 
> look, would adding an actinic/10K lamp actually do anything more 
> than just add heat? I have three slots for 96W CF lamps over a 90 
> gallon. I'm currently only using two on any sort of regular 
> basis, so I'm tempted. 
> 
> TW 
> 
> 
> 
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