Lighting systems were developed to grow healthy aquatic plants. The series of ADA’s lighting systems started with the development of NA Lamp, followed by Metal Halide Lamps (MH Lamps) and white LEDs, which were developed specifically for growing aquatic plants in keeping with the times. Currently, ADA is developing high-color LED lighting for growing aquatic plants. Let us conclude this series of articles with an introduction to lighting systems.

Research and development of lighting for growing aquatic plants

The NA Lamp, which is said to be the origin of the ADA lighting system, was developed based on the idea that “blue light is effective for growing aquatic plants” as a light with the wavelength characteristic. The “Green Glow/604” was released as an ideal product that combined both light intensity and wavelength quality, and was later followed by the 903 and 602 lineups. The Solar series, which equipped the “NAMH-150W” metal halide lamp originally developed to provide more light for large aquariums, expanded the joy of Nature Aquariums, including open top aquariums. The flagship model of the time, the “Grand Solar I”, had two power sources, such as a fluorescent lamp and a metal halide lamp, and was developed as a product that could recreate natural underwater light levels by lighting one or both. The tendency to believe that LEDs cannot grow aquatic plants was overturned by “Aquasky”, a product developed by ADA that achieved a high level of light intensity. In addition to light output, the stylish installation aesthetic using a dedicated acrylic stand was carried over to the successor Moon Series and G Series, establishing a certain standard for portable lighting. However, although the white LEDs of the time were able to provide the amount of light needed for pho-tosynthesis, it was difficult to exceed the color rendering performance of the NA Lamps. However, the development of “Solar RGB” using RGB LEDs realized this coloring performance. The lighting fixture for Nature Aquariums continues to advance, and the next generation model is being developed as a product incorporating IoT technology.

1994
Green Glow/604
Equipped with four of the world’s first fluorescent lamps (NA Lamps) for growing aquatic plants.

 

1996
Green Glow/903
Equipped with three 32W NA Lamps.

1996
Green Glow/602
Equipped with two NA Lamps that follow the design.

2002
Solar I
High light intensity and pendant type for large aquariums.

 

2003
Grand Solar I
Equipped MH Lamp and NA Lamp twin 36W.

 

2003
Grand Solar II
Equipped with four NA Lamps Twin 36W.

 

2003
Solar II
Equipped with two NA Lamps Twin 36W.

 

2004
Solar Mini
Integrated model of a small aquarium installation base and light fixture.

 

2006
Grand Solar 250
The industry’s first 250W electronic ballast is used.

2012
Aquasky
White LED lighting for exclusive use in aquatic plant cultivation.

 

2014
Aquasky Moon
Model with specially treated stands, approximately 1.5 times brighter.

2016
Solar RGB
High-color LED lighting with independent control of the three primary colors of light.

 

2017
Aquasky G
Uses LEDs with a distinctive green wavelength.

 

2019
Aquasky RGB 60
Current standard model with RGB LEDs.

 

2022
Solar RGB Limited Edition White/Black
Commemorative model with soft-start function