Lighting SA/CA Cichlid Tank

[ragin_cajun]

I have 2 36" 25 Watt T8 "Full Spectrum" Aqueon bulbs in Aqueon fixtures. They sit on the glass lids of a 72"x18"x24" 135 Gallon. Would another type of bulb bring out fish colors more? Will "Full Spectrum" lights grow plants? I want to try growing some potted java fern or anubias, possibly valisneria. Do lights that grow plants well dull fish color, and lights that show fish colors not grow plants well?

 

[DevonCichlid]

Substrate and background will also play a part in how your Cichlids or any fish will look like. I tried some fake plants in my Mbuna as I was warned they would likely re-arrange the plants for me and they did. It was more them moving the substrate around then directly going for the plants though. As far as lighting is concerned I used to run T8s on my Mbuna tank and the colors popped out nicely, I've swapped out to the Marinland single bright LEDs and the colors still show up well but had to experiment with my substrate and background to see what would help enhance their colors.