Can under water plants grow in fluorescent lights ?

Question

I have a fish tank with some plants and was wondering if the plants will grow, specifically, do plants need UV rays or just any light (photons) will do?

Answer 1

Ordinary fluorescent lights do not have much red and yellow light, which plants absorb best. They make fluorescent lights that have more reds and yellows just for plants.

However, you will end up with a lot more algae in your aquarium with such lights.

Put in some small sucker mouth catfish to eat the algae if you use lights that are better for plant growth.

Answer 2

First it's an awesome idea for a project. It's on the study of pH balances effect on plant growth. Unfortunately, unless you have special growing lights, there going to have to sit near a window. I did a science project back in the day on the effects of salt and buoyancy by trying to float an egg in water and finding the right combination of salt and water to make the egg completely neutral buoyancy, meaning it is suspended in the container of salt water.

Answer 3

Plants can grow under fluorescent lights light but not in them. Chlorophyll absorbs mostly red and blue, and so special plant-growing light bulbs (e.g., Gro-Lux) are available...they give off a purplish cast.

Answer 4

more often than not it will grow just fine with whatever light. the important thing to remember is how much light and what temperature to keep the tank at. but most likely the plant will be just fine, because remember plants were here before humans so i think they'll be here after us.