I have read from a lot of people that all bulbs are essentially created equal, or close enough to not worry. I've read that light intensity does not impact color. However, my observations while in this hobby have seemed to be counter to this.
Observation #1: Limnophilia hippuroides was much more colorful in tank A than tank B. Tank A had 2x24 watt T5's flora tube and daylight tube; 20 gallons. Tank B had two T5's 24 watt same tubes tank was 37 gallons. Both pressurized Co2. Visible difference in the color even under same light out of the tank when compared. (I meant to take a picture of this at the time, but never did.) I understand Co2 may have varied between tanks...but given healthy growth in both it should have been adequate for color development.
Observation #2: Tank B(2) 2 daylight bulbs. Rotala Macandra "green" ....greener than previously in tank B(1) which ran 4 daylight bulbs. Same tank, same CO2 system. I have only achieved the beautiful coloration rotala macandra green is capable of when running the 4 bulbs. Observation 3 also shows this....
Observation #3: 30c 7.5 gallon tank, running cheaper LED's that provided decent growth and some coloration in Rotala Singapore and a little in Rotala macandra "green". Recently switched to an ADA Aquasky (cool light for a cube btw). This light is much brighter and I saw an immediate increase in pearling. After One week dramatic improvement in color. The singapore gained some pink hues as well as the macandra "green". Same Co2 system...same bubble rate even. Same tank same routine. The only thing that changed was the light. Both adequate for growth...the Aquasky is more intense and the color is much closer to daylight. My T5 tubes look a little yellow when compared to the light of the Aquasky.
A couple explanations I have thought of....light intensity does matter, duration of exposure to high light ie tips that run along the surface tend to get more color, proximity to the light source (which in a way is intensity as well). Is there a "quality" of light we should consider not just spectrum or intensity? UV rays? something? I'm just throwing out thoughts.
Observation #1: Limnophilia hippuroides was much more colorful in tank A than tank B. Tank A had 2x24 watt T5's flora tube and daylight tube; 20 gallons. Tank B had two T5's 24 watt same tubes tank was 37 gallons. Both pressurized Co2. Visible difference in the color even under same light out of the tank when compared. (I meant to take a picture of this at the time, but never did.) I understand Co2 may have varied between tanks...but given healthy growth in both it should have been adequate for color development.
Observation #2: Tank B(2) 2 daylight bulbs. Rotala Macandra "green" ....greener than previously in tank B(1) which ran 4 daylight bulbs. Same tank, same CO2 system. I have only achieved the beautiful coloration rotala macandra green is capable of when running the 4 bulbs. Observation 3 also shows this....
Observation #3: 30c 7.5 gallon tank, running cheaper LED's that provided decent growth and some coloration in Rotala Singapore and a little in Rotala macandra "green". Recently switched to an ADA Aquasky (cool light for a cube btw). This light is much brighter and I saw an immediate increase in pearling. After One week dramatic improvement in color. The singapore gained some pink hues as well as the macandra "green". Same Co2 system...same bubble rate even. Same tank same routine. The only thing that changed was the light. Both adequate for growth...the Aquasky is more intense and the color is much closer to daylight. My T5 tubes look a little yellow when compared to the light of the Aquasky.
A couple explanations I have thought of....light intensity does matter, duration of exposure to high light ie tips that run along the surface tend to get more color, proximity to the light source (which in a way is intensity as well). Is there a "quality" of light we should consider not just spectrum or intensity? UV rays? something? I'm just throwing out thoughts.
