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Re: Lighting rule of thumb
Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is the parameter that should be
discussed in terms of lighting for aquatic plants. Unfortunately, you
need a sensor and electronics worth (at least when I was using the
equipment) over a thousand dollars (cdn) in order to measure PAR. The
next best would be Lux (lumens per square meter)... this is not as
specific as PAR and again, you need a sensor etc. This leaves us with
Watts for advising the average aquarist.
Yes, tank dimensions, hood reflectivity, natural light and a host of
other factors will influence the effectiveness of your 'Watts per gallon'.
The compensation point of aquatic plants varies at least from 20 to 80
uE/m2/sec PAR and the light saturation level from at least 500 to 1000
uE/m2/sec PAR. I dont think, therefore, that I difference of 50 or 100%
between the low end and high end of recommended 'Watts per gallon' is
unreasonable. The higher the light, the more different types of plants
you should be able to grow.
dave.