I argued with my son, who is also a reef keeper, about the difference. I have the cheap Chinese blue/white panels on my main reef and RapidLED full spectrum fixtures on the frag tank. Also have the DYI full spectrum at the office. After living with them, I prefer the full spectrum. The reds pop better. And I have some pretty difficult corals growing under them pretty fast. But no science behind it, just observation. I would add I am not a fan of the blue look. As a diver, that's what everything looks like under 50' and I thought it was pretty boring looking until I would turn on my dive lights. Then the reef exploded with the yellows and reds. That is probably why I like full spectrum. I have a GARF purple bonsai that I always wanted to grow, growing fast now under the full spectrum. When it gets bigger I may frag it and see how it does under blue/white and if there's any growth difference.