Re: Does LUX Matter?

Greg, I wonder if everyone wants the same plants you do.  I have 5
tanks with  low light and a variety of plants.  I know I can't have
the majority of the many varieties, but the plants, including Anubias,
are doing their biological thing and providing nooks and crannies the
fish seem to enjoy.  

I am not much of a gardener outside or inside, but when I finally
bought low light plants I was pleasantly surprised with the growth,
color, and variety I was successfully growing.

I admire the beautifully planted tanks I have seen, but have seen one
30 gallon tank that I had to look carefully to see the plants were
made of silk.  Beauty and variety are important, but I am quite
satisfied to have a tank that functions well even if the varieties
available to me are limited.



On Tue, 02 Dec 2003 04:03:44 -0500, Greg
G.<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>On 1 Dec 2003 18:12:33 -0800, [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Nick D) wrote:
>
>>Hi all...
>>In my futile attempts to grow plants in my fish tank, I just purchased
>>a Hagen Sun Glo which has 125 Lux reading for a 24" bulb, which I
>>assume could grow some plants. On my next trip back to the Fish Store
>>I notice a Hagen Life Glo which had 235 Lux reading. Apparently, as I
>>understand it, Lux is a reading of Light Intensity (in a nutshell). So
>>I'm wondering if a light with a higher Lux reading is better at
>>growing plants, than say one with a lower reading. I am currently
>>searching for the most powerful florescent tube I can find to grow
>>plants in my 29gal. I realize spectrum has a lot to do with how well
>>plants grow, but with only 2 tubes over my 29gal I need all the
>>intensity I can get, right?
>>
>>Thoughts, Suggestions?
>>
>>Thanks,
>>Nick D.
>
>Hi Nick,
>
>Intensity is important, but just as important is color temperature.
>Various claims are made by manufacturers concerning their bulbs, as
>they tend to be high dollar items - most of which is unjustified.
>
>The unit of intensity measurement known as lumens is more frequently
>used in measuring lamp intensity.  LUX is a unit of illumination equal
>to 1 lumen per square meter; 0.0929 foot candle.  CRI is a measurement
>of how much like "sunlight" a lamp appears to the human eye.
>
>Problem is, many intensity measurements are made with the human vision
>spectrum in mind.  Thus what YOU see as a bright light, may not appear
>as bright to plants in the photosynthetic realm.
>
>With that said, 2x 20 watt bulbs are NEVER going to be bright enough
>to grow many plant specimens - period.  You can throw money at bulbs
>manufacturer/vendors all day, with all kinds of specifications, and it
>just won't help.  You can slowly grow low light plants, anubias,
>crypts, and a few others, but that is it.  You need more light at the
>correct color temperature to grow medium to high light plants.
>
>One of the best PAR bulbs is a common 5000K tri-phosphor fluorescent -
>available for about $3.50 at most commercial lighting vendors - maybe
>even at your local Lowes or Home Despot.  Phillips, Sylvania, GE all
>make these bulbs.  Chroma 50, Colortone 50, Designer 5000k, Ultralume
>5000k, Alto Advantage 5000k, etc.  Switching to T-8 bulbs (and
>matching electronic ballasts) opens up a new realm of bulbs that are
>more efficient and have more choices available.
>
>Read more than you wanted to know here:
>
>http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/faq.html'
>
>Greg