Assuming money doesn't come into the equation, what tubes are best for a planted aquarium?
I currently have the following on my 250L 4ft planted tank:
1 x 36" T8 30W 18000K Power Glo tube. (Looks pinkish when on)
1 x 48" T8 40W 18000K Power Glo tube. (Looks pinkish when on)
2 x 36" T5 24W Cool white tubes (other than f748 no real markings to work out details - got it 2nd hand).
Spare:
1 x 36" T8 30W Arcadia FF30 Freshwater tube. (Looks white when on)
The LFS only really stocks Power Glo and Aqua Glo. Both 18000K tubes.
Spectrums:
Power Glo
Aqua Glo
Arcadia FF30
If I believe what the people at LFS's say, they tell me that the Power Glo tubes can't be beaten for both making your fish look good and plant growth. However, they are the more expensive tube and could just be going for a sale. According to them, the aqua glo tubes are a step down from the Power Glo and only go for them if you can't afford the Power Glo.
My real question is, would you get better plant growth using a different kind of tube while still maintaining a good natural light colour in the tank? Do I need to change a tube to provide more red light into the tank? Would using an Aqua Glo tube as well as the Power Glo help in any way? The Aqua Glo has a bit more in the red spectrum than the Power Glo.
I'm also considering getting a marine blue light and running that later in the evening and early in the morning to bring out some of the nocturnal fish. I'd switch off the other lamps and just run that one. Does anyone do this? Does it work?