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[APD] Minimum Light Threshold.....
In the web forums I participate in the discussion has come up many times
about how much light you need on a certain size tank to grow plants. Many
times the tank in question is a 10 gallon tank. People have 20-30 watts of
light and are having problems with plant growth and go on to refer to the
watt per gallon rule, which while being a lousy rule does work for most
tanks but not larger or smaller tanks. I feel this is due to a little
explored or understood "Minimum Light Threshold", the idea behind this is
that every plant requires a certain amount of light energy that is not
clearly defined in the watt per gallon rule. Extreme example: We mostly
agree that 4 wpg on a larger tank is a lot of light. But if you take a
gallon of water and a 4 watt light you can't grow plants. Why not? You
have 4 wpg. True, but you have not met the MLT for the plants. I see it
all the time in my terrestrial garden. There are plants that do well in
deep shade and others that require full sun. Light is a nutrient. Some
plants require more of some nutrients that others. And all plants need a
certain amount of light energy to function. This amount varies from plant
to plant.
So now, please tell me either I'm totally nuts and should put the closely
fitted canvas jacket with the long arms back on or maybe I'm actually on to
something here.
In Heaven We were formed...
In Hell We were trained..
On Earth We were released...
United States Marine Corps
Semper Fi
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