What happen if lighting duration is too short?

[comet]

Hmm what will happen if a plant is under duration of lighting? Like 5-6hours instead of 8-10hours.

Like moss, will they turn thinner and lose its green color?

[weng0202]

Hmm what will happen if a plant is under duration of lighting? Like 5-6hours instead of 8-10hours.

Like moss, will they turn thinner and lose its green color?

I think for moss its ok, I'm only giving 4 hours of lighting for my fissiden and christmas moss. It helps to keep the algae in check. 2hrs in the morning and 2hr in the late afternoon.

[jiajuen900]

not 100%, if plants do not get enoguh light, they will die and will cause ammonia to spika as they rot, which in turn will kick start algae growth

[tbkuan]

Not only are the strength and the duration of the lighting important to the aquatic plants ( some need stronger and longer lighting , some need not ). I think the water chemistry not only plays an important role in substaining the life of the fish, it too is important to the aquatic plants.

[jiajuen900]

Actually all plants should be able to survive in any light condition ( low or high ). As long as they have non-limiting fertilisers and co2. Lighting will determine the amount of ferts and co2 a plant takes up so as long as these are non-limiting, any plant should be able to grow in low or high light condition. It may just be which light condition it is easier to grow the plants in. Higher light would equal to higher intake, resulting in faster growth rate. But plants do have a maximum uptake and maximum growth rate.

Lighting would best be simliar to that of the sun in nature. But we stick with 8-10 hrs of lighting as that is normally how long the sun would shine into the water. Why some plants prefer higher lighting would be because they usually are in shallower waters or are partially submerged in nature, therefore they recieve more light. e.g. HG or HC both can be grown emerse.

[tom855]

Actually all plants should be able to survive in any light condition ( low or high ). As long as they have non-limiting fertilisers and co2. Lighting will determine the amount of ferts and co2 a plant takes up so as long as these are non-limiting, any plant should be able to grow in low or high light condition. It may just be which light condition it is easier to grow the plants in. Higher light would equal to higher intake, resulting in faster growth rate. But plants do have a maximum uptake and maximum growth rate.

Lighting would best be simliar to that of the sun in nature. But we stick with 8-10 hrs of lighting as that is normally how long the sun would shine into the water. Why some plants prefer higher lighting would be because they usually are in shallower waters or are partially submerged in nature, therefore they recieve more light. e.g. HG or HC both can be grown emerse.

Agreed! Nicely said. I wouldn't suggest trying to grow a lot with 4 hours of light. Give it the typical 8-10 and enjoy watching them. It's easier for you to look at and gives the plants a "typical" day in the sun. Adjust your ferts from there to give them what they need.