Aquarium and Terrarium Basics
Many people evaluate aquarium and reptile lamps in terms of "brightness" and "color-temperature". In the aquarium and reptile biosphere this terminology is erroneous and misleading. The term "brightness"refers to radiant energy that is capable of exciting the retina of the human eye and producing a visual sensation. "Color-temperature" is the summation of blue, green and red spectral output as charted in color space.
Life Sustaining Radiant Energy
The primary function of lighting in the aquarium and terrarium is to provide life sustaining radiant energy to the biosphere. Considering that the photo responses of the inhabitants present in the biosphere are considerably different than that of the human eye, "brightness" and "color temperature" are not the correct evaluations of aquarium and reptile lamps.
Major Photo Responses
Required in the Biosphere
The action spectra of the five major photo responses of the aquarium and terrarium biosphere show utilization of energy in three spectral regions:
400 to 500 nm
600 to 700 nm
700 to 800 nm
As shown in the graph, these regions are outside of the photopic visions (response of the human eye). The transmission of light in water must also be taken into consideration in developing the lighting spectrum for the aquarium biosphere. In general, shorter wavelengths penetrate deeper. Therefore, the actinic wavelengths are more prevalent in the normal marine environment while the longer red wavelength is limited in the depth of penetration.
Radiant Energy for Color Appearance
Once the primary life sustaining factors have been achieved for the individual biosphere, it is desirable to create a pleasing presentation to the human eye. In the most modern lighting environments, this is accomplished throughout the use of color rendering. Color rendering is the use of a mixture of light in the three "primary" areas of blue (450 nm), green (540 nm) and red (611 nm). The proper combination of light output in these three areas will create a high degree of color rendering, the enhancement of the true colors of the fish and corals.
The ultimate objective is lighting that provides life sustaining output while providing color enhancements. This achievements cannot be described by "brightness" or "color-temperature". It must be created by a scientific and artistic combination of phosphors.
Voltarc Brand Aquarium and
Reptile Lamps
Satisfy These Requirements
