plexiglass to guard MH bulbs???

[fedukeford]

"Glass or Plexiglass Splash Shield - A must for metal halide lighting. Metal halides get extremely hot and one drop of water could cause the bulb to explode. A tempered glass splash shield will also help to filter out UV rays as well, usually required when using HQI metal halide bulbs."

has anyone found this true? do you have any glass or plexi galss guarding your MH bulbs? or is it just open over the tank?

thanks

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

A shield of some type is absolutely necessary with certain MH lamps that are unshielded. (These are usually the European DE bulbs.)
SE (mogul- screw in base) MH lamps have a glass envelope that shields them.
IME it's still a good idea to have low hanging halides protected by a glass or acrylic shield. (I've had fish splash a hot bulb and ruin it.) Most DIY canopies aren't built with a protective shield. Heat and humidity can ruin a light hood over time. The powder coated aluminum fixtures (like the one I, Tom and John have over their in-store display reef aquariums) include a slide out acrylic shield.
Bottom line: keep those halides high off the water in DIY hoods. If you use an acrylic shield run a fan to keep it cool.

 

[bosborn1]

My Aquamedic Aquaspacelight has UV protectant glass underneath it. I don't know about putting plexi under a halide. I would think that you would be better off running glass that is meant for high heat applications.

Scott