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Bulbs/Far Red Light
Subject: Bulbs/Far Red End?
> The only concern I have about the G
> Aquarium bulb is that it says on the package that unlike other b
> produces a relatively high emission of far-red radiation that pr
> and flowering of many types of plants. I think I read here on t
> the far-red spectrum can be bad for aquarium plants and possibly
> growth. Anyone know anything about this?
According to "Biology of Plants" by Peter H. Raven and Helena
Curtis, while red light promotes plant growth, far red light turns
it off like a switch. Experiments were done where if the the far
red light was turned off last, the plants would stop growing
completely. (until the next light period) These _were_
terrestrial plants, though, not aquatics. I guess they use this
principle to control the growth and flowering of various flowering
plants offered commercially so they all come into bloom at the
same (chosen) time.
------------------------------
Karen Randall
Aquatic Gardeners Assoc.
Boston, MA