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Will pothos grow under a normal florestent light(that comes with the fish tank fixtures) or do they need a UV light? if they do not need a UV light...what other plants can grow under floresent lights
thanks
-Matt

Hi Matt,

Pothos are hardy plants that will grow in a wide range of light conditions. The standard flourescant bulb that comes with most strip lights for aquariums will work fine. I honestly am not sure how ultra violet radiation effects plants or their growth. Does anyone know? I think whats really important is the intensity and the color spectrum. For my terrariums I use cheap phillips flourescant bulbs from home depot that are 5500K and have a CRI of 85 I think. They produce a bright white light that looks very natural. Good luck,
-----
Devin
devin@amphibiancare.com
www.amphibiancare.com
3.2 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Dwarf French Guiana'
1.1 Dendrobates tinctorius 'Powder Blue'
5.1 Mantella aurantiaca
2.1 Mantella crocea
1.0 Ceratophrys cranwelli
1.0 Bufo americanus
0.0.1 Salamandra salamandra
1.0 Ambystoma tigrinum
0.1 Chamaeleo calyptratus
0.1 Phelsuma dubia
1.1 Uroplatus ebenaui
0.0.1 Chrysemys scripta
0.0.1 Chrysemys picta belli
1.0 Terrapene carolina triunguis

UV has absolutely no effect on plant growth at all (being in the ultra-blue spectrum). In fact, the only reason to have UV lights is because certain animals DO require it. Thankfully darts do not.

Anyway, high luminosity and the inclusion of the important red and blue spectra are what are most important. 6500K color bulbs do fine, just get some bright ones.

Kevin H.

A correction to what kevinhnc said. UV light does have an effect on plants, however not a positive one. Too much exposure to UV can cause photooxidation and UVB can damage valuble protiens. On the other hand this can stimulate production of secondary pigments.

Also darts can need UV to stimulate the production of D3 nescasary to utilize calcium. However, darts don't need much D3 and you'll find most vitamin supplements contain an adequate supply eliminating the need for a UV light.

Yes, good clarification. Most things need UV for Vitamin D production, but of course I was assuming the dusting that we all do, eliminating the need.

I'm sure UV light can be negative for plants, but I'm not sure how powerful a light you would need to actually have damage done (I'm sure plants have at least somewhat of an antioxidant system).

Kevin H.

They don't use an "antioxidant system," it more like sun screen where the plant poduces phenolics in the epidermis that allow it to reflect UV at high irradiance. I doubt that a UV lamp with the exciption of a germicidal bulb could do much damage outside of a reduction in photosynthetic capacity. Which maybe a good thing for the terrarium as this can result in reduced leaf size.

In fact we are both wrong!!!

Forgive me everyone for the confusion, I posted that early in the morning, still a little brain dead.

UV radiation, contrary to what I posted, does not produce anti-oxidants, it actually produces thymidine dimers within the DNA, too much of which can lead to cell death due to irreparable damage to the cell's "blueprint", or DNA.

However, at the same time, plants do in fact have anti-oxidants. In fact almost all life does, to be correct, including bacteria. Catalase, for example, is produced by certain bacteria, and prevents damage from free radicals produced by hydrogen peroxide (Oxygen free radicals).

Finally, after a little research, plants in fact *do* protect themselves with "DNA repair enzymes", much the same as we humans do. These enzymes are called "phytolases," without which plants could not survive in sunlight. Please see the link below for the source of this info.

In any event I completely agree with you that there is probably no way to damage a plant by using a Reptiglo 2.0 bulb! However, too much heat certainly will!

I hope this clears things up!

Kevin H.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/AR/archive/oct98/enzy1098.htm

Just at a small point, but everything I said was correct. I am well aware that dimers may be produced, however phenolics stand as the first line of diffense. If you want to find out more I suggest you try Lambers Chapins and Pons text on plant ecophysiology.

Fine, Fine, I think I've had enough of this topic, moving along now...