Cracked SE bulb Urgent

[tkeracer619]

I just installed some reeflux 10k 250w bulbs and one of them look like it has developed a tiny crack in the outer glass bulb.

Is this a problem, i read somewere that it will let radiation out. Its a small crack but i def think its a crack. Dont know what caused it the bulbs are pretty high off the water.

Any suggestions.

 

[gobygoby]

Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6567927#post6567927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tkeracer619
i read somewere that it will let radiation out.

ROTFLMAO!!!:lol:

no, there is no radiation and you will not turn green, grow extra arms or anything....(sorry, but it that comment is funny)


I have seen people continue to use a bulb that the outer shell has a hairline crack in it, but it has a greater chance of exploding if water splashines on it or anyting else. your best bet would be to replace it. nothing worse then retrieving tons of shards of glass out of your tank.

goby

 

[tkeracer619]

I was under the impression that all mh put out some type of uv radiation. Which is why DE needs the uv protective glass. And this type of glass is what is used in se bulbs.

Sounds funny to me also but i'm not sure so i thought i would ask. Thanks for the quick reply.

O yeah one of my fish just grew a 3rd eye. :lol:

 

[gobygoby]

you are correct. DE bulbs DO emit a uv rays if not behind a glass shield however SE bulbs have a "built in" glass shield and that works the same as the glass plate shield for DE bulbs.

So with SE bulbs you dont need to worry about uv rays, just dont look straight at it....you dont want to burn any holes in your eyeballs!

:bum:
Goby

 

[electric130]

Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6567972#post6567972 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gobygoby
ROTFLMAO!!!:lol:

no, there is no radiation and you will not turn green, grow extra arms or anything....(sorry, but it that comment is funny)

i'm pretty sure he meant UV radiation and UV radiation is not something funny.

tkeracer619, as long as there's not a seperation in the glass where the light could pass through unimpeded by the glass, then i wouldn't worry about radiation. the thing i would worry about is the structrual integrity of the outer glass. if the bulb were to get splashed, it would surely crack the rest of the way, possibly breaking the inner envelope if the outer glass were to fall on it. you could sit here and think up all kinds of "what-if's", but all you need to know is that there's a risk to keep running it. if you're fine with that, then go for it. personally, i'd probably run it till i felt like i got my money's worth out of it (unless it was cracked from the manufacturer then i'd send it back)

 

[gobygoby]

Re: Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

Re: Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6569096#post6569096 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by electric130
i'm pretty sure he meant UV radiation and UV radiation is not something funny.

ya I know, we both joked about it. One of his fish grew a third eye.

 

[electric130]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

Re: Re: Re: Re: Cracked SE bulb Urgent

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6569463#post6569463 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by gobygoby
ya I know, we both joked about it. One of his fish grew a third eye.

i hate when that happens!!!! :lol: then again, since the eye ball count increased by 50%, maybe the fish's value would go up 50% also?

 

[causeofhim]

From what I heard, the outer glass is the protective glass thet is "built in" to Se bulbs. So, by having a crack in the bulb, you may be allowing a sliver of unshielded uv rays to pass into your tank. Which could lead to damage of your corals.

 

[PaulErik]

You should not use a MH bulb if it has a crack or even a deep scratch on the outer bulb. The bulb can unexpectedly shatter during operation.

If the outer bulb is cracked most likely air has leaked inside. Metal halide lamps are usually vacuum sealed or under partial vacuum with nitrogen gas. If the seal is broken this can cause the arc tube to operate at abnormal temperatures.

Air leakage can also cause impurities to leach into the arc tube while the lamp is operating. MH lamps are equipped with a getter that traps impurities but the getter will become exhausted in a very short period of time if the bulb is cracked.

It is best to replace the lamp to avoid any damage.

 

[Sm0kin]

i know with high pressure lamps on a tanning bed(much more uv light) if the protective shield just cracks it can cause a severe burn.

 

[tkeracer619]

Thanks for the responses. I stopped using the bulb and have a replacement on the way.