Does it matter plant tube or normal white PL tube?

[greenaqua]

I have a 3ft planted tank that has been growing for the past 3 years. Before I setup the tank I placed a layer of river soil underneath 3 inches of gravel. I don't dose with nutrients, opting to let the plants take it up from the soil. I have a CO2 setup with a CO2 re-actor to ensure good dissolution of the CO2 into the water. I have 2 PL light of 36 watts each. pH is 6-6.5, Nitrate is 40ppm, Nitrite is zero.

I would like to see my plants bubble but they don't do so that often. I have never seen them bubble like crazy. Is it the light? Does it make a difference to use plant tubes?

Or is it that I need to dose with minerals. I am loathe to do that as it encourages algae growth. Can I dose with just Potassium since Nitrogen can be absorbed from the nitrate?

Thanks.

[Shadow]

I would say it is the light, 72W for 3ft is on the low side, though CO2 and fert also play a part. Some people use 72W for 2ft tank depending on the plant, I'm one of them

Fertilizer does not encourage algae grow. Your tank is low tech so you can go away without fertelizer but once you increase the light, you should start dossing them. THe nutrient in the soils does not last forever

In my opinion as long as your plant grow well, bubble or no bubble doesn't matter.

[greenaqua]

Thanks. Does plant tube matter versus using normal PL white light?

[Shadow]

Never try plant tube, I always using standart normal Orsram/Philip 6500K PL light. All the plant grow nicely no issue. Plant tube may increase certain light spectrum which may improve the plant grow but in my opinion not a must.

[newtank]

I just replaced my 2 x 18W Fl lights with Arcadia Original Tropical lights, and together with my 4 x 39 W T5HO, the plants did started bubbling. Maybe it does improve the growth a little bit. But most importantly, the pinkish hue does give my red plants and neon tetras a better look.

I am looking to replce 2 of my 4 T5 lights with Arcadia Plant Pro and see if it makes more difference, but haviing enjoyed the improvement over the colors of the plants and Tetras, I am pretty sold to the idea of pinkish tubes.