| Aquatic plants bring a host of benefits to the | | | | red and blue spectrum, 400 to 450 nanometres and |
| aquarium that they are used in and one of the | | | | 600 to 650 nanometres specifically. Most |
| biggest aspects to growing them successfully is using | | | | manufacturers will print the output of the lights on |
| the right equipment and lighting. In order to | | | | the packaging or specifically state the lighting |
| photosynthesise correctly, plants require lighting in the | | | | spectrum used. Kelvin, the measure of colour |
| red and blue spectrum. | | | | temperature, is related to the nanometre output but |
| Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants | | | | they are not the same; two bulbs of the same |
| rearrange carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules | | | | degree Kelvin may have radically different spectrum |
| with light, which activates the pigments chlorophyll | | | | outputs. |
| and chlorophyll B, to produce basic sugar structures. | | | | To ensure that your plants grow to their full potential |
| These basic sugar structures provide the plant with | | | | it is helpful to use lighting that confers a large amount |
| its food and allow energy to be transferred up the | | | | of red and blue light as it allows your plants to |
| food chain. In order for photosynthesis to work | | | | produce more food. Although there are many other |
| properly, plants need both red and blue lighting to | | | | factors involved in keeping plants healthy, it is |
| activate their chlorophyll, the green colour we see in | | | | without a doubt that the right amount and colour of |
| plants is actually a reflection of part of the light | | | | lighting is one of the most important. By choosing |
| spectrum plants do not use, with the other colours | | | | equipment that fulfils the needs of your plants at the |
| being absorbed. | | | | start you are making keeping the plants healthy in |
| When it comes to growing plants in your aquarium, it | | | | the long run much easier. |
| is important to try and use lighting which emits light in | | | | When you know the measures of red and blue light |
| the red and blue spectrum. Red light is mainly used | | | | output, it normally is not too difficult to discover if |
| for flowering and strong stems, where as blue light is | | | | individual lighting systems are suitable for your |
| mainly used for leaf growth. When buying lighting | | | | aquarium. It is perfectly possible to combine lighting |
| equipment for your aquarium, check the output of | | | | that many emits either red or blue light for maximum |
| the lights. You are looking for lighting that emits in the | | | | coverage. |