A plant light question for the experts

[nick barta]

I need to know if a 6500K linear plant light will pass through plexiglass and keep plants growing in a cage.

Or, does it block the beneficial spectrum for plant growing?

Nick

 

[Lpsouth1978]

To my knowledge, mostly from 3 decades of reef and planted aquarium experience, plexi, acrylic, and glass, will block UV, however it does not limit the transmission of the light spectrum. For instance, if you set a plant in a window it will still flourish and thrive, even though there is a piece of glass between it and the light source, the same applies to aquariums and other applications.

 

[nick barta]

To my knowledge, mostly from 3 decades of reef and planted aquarium experience, plexi, acrylic, and glass, will block UV, however it does not limit the transmission of the light spectrum. For instance, if you set a plant in a window it will still flourish and thrive, even though there is a piece of glass between it and the light source, the same applies to aquariums and other applications.

Thanks, any other Thoughts?

Nick

 

[Big Gulp]

Not sure. But it'll definitely block out an UV your UVB bulb is giving off, which is bad. (if you have that sitting on there too)

 

[sharp229]

I agree with the other posters. I have been growing plants, especially carnivorous plants for over 20 years, and have had no problems with light fixtures that have a plexiglass shield, and I regularly grow plants in glass windows.

Photosynthesis in almost all plants uses visible light spectrum, which means the plants will get as much light as you can see. You can also measure the light levels more accurately with a light meter or a camera with a built-in light meter. This would allow you to see how much the plexiglass is reducing the level. I don't personally know of any plants that need or are improved by UV. Obviously chameleons do need UVB, so you would want to ensure that any UVB lights are not blocked by the plexiglass.

Plexiglass does not transmit light as well as real glass, but if you are worried about that you could use higher power bulbs. How much it blocks depends on the quality and how clean it is kept, but you can tell most of that by eye

 

[bobcochran]

Hey Nick, The light visible to humans goes right through glass, that's why we
see it as clear. The light plants need to grow also goes through glass, but if
you want to put the plants into natural sunlight after growing them under glass they will get burned by the UV from the sun, you have to break them in slowly for natural sun; starting in a shaded area and slowly moving them to more sun.

 

[Lazy Boy]

You are good to go but they can yellow. As long as its clean and clear light will pass thru.

 

[junglefries]

I would like to say it also depends on the quality and thickness of the plexiglass. The plexiglass sold with aquarium NaCl H2O tanks is very thin and brittle. And even then, 99.9% of users remove it. I would definitely try a solarmeter of sorts for both spectrums on your finished product. That said, it will work. It will not be optimal though. I would go with the the Zoomed Ultrasun T5 HO bulbs or a 10,000k bulb of sorts. But, I've been called a moron more than once. Also, may want to run as many lights as possible, depending on height from plant. 30" cage height at least two. 36-48" cage height - 4 T5 HO. But you know all this already, oh great bug master .

 

[nick barta]

Thanks all, the build of the plant growing area will progress now!

Nick