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Daylight Deluxe by Phillips are rated at 6500* Kelvin. Kelvin Degree's or K rating is the color temperature. From what I've read laboratory studies determined that freshwater aquatic plants (thats lumping all genus/species in one pile) do best between 5500K - 8000K (considered full spectrum lighting). They also determined that 6700K is optimum for steady and rapid growth. What it comes down to is bulbs with the 5500K-8000K have more of the blue/violet and red/orange colors of the spectrum which is what plants use. The green/yellow (mid-spectrum) are almost usless to plants, but that is the color temp. that is widely used in "standard" house hold lighting. These would be the soft white and cool white colors (3500K-4100K). These are used because to the human eye it is a comfortable range. It brings out more detail and color to objects for our veiwing and reading. The bulbs that are labeled Plant&Aquarium / GroLights usually have lower spectrum, arround 1600K-2500K, they have more the blue/violet and minimal red/orange. This is good for most low light plants like Java Fern, some Anubias and house plants (a big one would be african violets) It also helps enhance the colors of the plants and fish, almost like a blacklight. I have compared the aquarium/grolights to the daylight deluxe side by side and found that even with low light demanding plants the daylight deluxe will make the plants grow quicker and they seem somewhat healthier. This is good for aquariums that have herbivore fish like goldies... As far as your particular problem. 1) The water may have an algae bloom (green water) that wasn't noticed with regular aquarium bulbs. Since the Daylight Deluxe are a more "natural" sunlight it may have brought it to your attention. Take a sample of aquarium water in a clear glass and hold it to the light to see. Also, did the water turn green as soon as you turned on the lights with the new bulbs? Or, did it take a few days to notice this? 2) Sometimes the tanks can throw a green hue when brightly lit, especially older ones. Do you have a "background" on the aquarium? A background (like the poster type at the fish store) will reduce this reflection greatly. 3) What I do (sometimes) is use a combo of the 6500K and "color enhancing" aquarium bulbs to bring out the fish and plants more. I have never had these bulbs make my water appear a spooky green, exception is an empty tank with no background and minimal decor (rocks, plants and gravel). 4) To answer your ? about cheaper aquarium bulbs, use the ones that say "Plant&Aquarium", I think thats what Skygee uses. Most plants will do better with the "Full Spectrum" lighting (5500K-8000K), some require the reds and oranges to stay healthy (especially any red/purple plants).
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