Light Bulbs and Heat questions

[ctniners]

I there is a similar question in this forum but I my question is with MH.

I am changing my stock bulb to a Radium 150W 20K bulb...I have read that it has as much or more PAR than the 14K phoenix...
My question is, I only have 1 acro frag and one monti frag....my worry is my healthy green bta.....how do I do the lighting changes.....I dont want to shock my BTA and at the same time I do not know what is the best way of burning a new bulb. I am going from a stock 150W 14K jbj nanocube bulb to the Radium 150W 20K bulb.

Any experiences with this Radium bulb?


Also,....my tank is staying at 80-81 F dregrees the whole day....even at night without even heat going to that room......is that a good temp or should I try to drop it a bit.

Thanks again.

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Some people have it at that but I prefer 77-78 but that's 2 cents.Others will chime in.

 

[reefman]

my prefer temp is 76-78. rule of thumb with par is the higher the k, the lower the par. so 20k would have less par than 14k.
to acclimate lighting, choose 1 or more below.
1.)raise the height of the light source, then lower gradually
2.)reduce lighting period.
3.)insert filter screen between surface n lighting.

 

[kool-cat]

My temp is 84-86. I was keeping it at 83F, but it fluctuates in the summer. I recently upped it to 84, hopefully I don't see any adverse reactions. My mh light inceases temp to 86F from 84.

 

[meschaefer]

My temp is 84-86. I was keeping it at 83F, but it fluctuates in the summer. I recently upped it to 84, hopefully I don't see any adverse reactions. My mh light inceases temp to 86F from 84.

Honestly, keeping your temp at 84 in the winter is a waste of money. You will find many people who lower their tank temp in the winter as compared to summer to cut the cost on heating. As to the summer fluctuations, within reason fluctuations in temp are not something that I would worry about (although others disagree with me on this one) During the witner I keep my temp at 76 and I will let it get to 85 in the summer before my chiller kicks in.

 

[hijinks]

mine goes from 75 at night to 78 before the MH turn off

 

[ClosetFishGeek]

The temp of my tank is always between 77-79 degrees..In terms of acclimation to a new bulb...reefman has the right advise.....:splitspin