Info found the hard way MH Lights

[Therbligs]

There are a number of cases, where the outer glass shattered on SE MH's and went undetected. This is equivalent to running a bare bulb DE. You should have UV protection glass on all MH fixtures.

I remember a thread, where this happen to a reefer with a large L-shaped tank. He went 4 months without realizing the outer glass disintegrated and exposed the inner glass. 1000w MH blasting UV into the tank did a job on his corals and livestock.
:eek2:

 

[nevermore84]

I have a similar situation with my SE MH fixture.

What product (i.e. type of glass) should I be asking my local shop for?

Thanks

 

[SeanySean]

Any glass filters UV from what I have been reading, If you ask your local Frame specialist they can give you some glass that can prevent sun exposure to it. But normal MH screens are not, they are generally tempered glass

 

[dryice]

any glass will filter out uv rays and fine screen will because most reptils need uva and uvb and u have to have a bulb that emits uva and uvb and u cant have glass or fine screen between the bulb and animal because it filters out the rays

 

[Scholesy]

Hi all, I have just got 2 x 250MH DE bulbs for my new tank - no glass. I can't get combination UV + tempered glass, so I was going to do the following:

DE bulb, then 3" gap, then 5mm heat resistant glass (to 165 deg C), then 1" gap, then 95% UV blocking 6mm glass.

I guess just having the heat resistant glass isn't going to be safe enough, is it?

Do you reckon the spacing between the 2 pieces of glass is ok? too close? could be closer?

thanks for comments

 

[SeanySean]

Any glass will block the bad UV out, just use the heat resistant and you will be fine

 

[shawn1965]

Good Info in this thread.

 

[BCarlyleS]

It is nice that I just found this out. I have killed everything that I put in my tank over the last 6 months. No sheilds on 2 250 watt DE. Although you may go blind, I haven't in the last year. Yes I have ordered the correct glass.
By the way, you think that I would have got the hint after I burn't my arm when I would work in my tank under the lights. So now what do I do!!!!!

:smokin:
Carlyle

 

[vonodie1]

This has thread has a ton a good info.

Also, the damage to your eyes caused by having no shields can take years to show up.

I wish that I could find these pictures of what can happen to your eyes, but I haven't been successful yet.

I hope that everyone can learn from this thread. Eyesight is something that should NOT be taken for granted.

 

[SeanySean]

If you have been looking at the light direct then that may ahve caused some damage to your eyes, best bet, get an eye test

Other than that, if the light you have been seeing is through the tank glass you willl be ok