UV shield for MH retrofit ?

[scumonkey]

I'm building the canopy for my tank.
I have decided what brand retro and all that I'm buying but still have a few questions.....
When givin the choice between these two packages which is best?
2 X 250 HQI Metal Halide and Compact Retro
or
2 X 250 metal halide(mogul) 2 X 95 VHO
The HQI bulbs come with uv shields over them, the other may-or-may not have uv shields....if not would they need them?
I see so many DIY hoods without uv shilds?!?!?

 

[scumonkey]

ANYBODY?
Won't using MH's burn your eyes out if theye are not shielded?
No matter which type you use?

 

[mbbuna]

DE bulbs need to be shielded, Mogul bulbs have the shield built in to the bulb so an extra shield is not needed

 

[scumonkey]

Thank YOU mbbuna...I did NOT know that!!!!!!

 

[fallen4378]

cool thanks

 

[Siberia]

I agree with mbbuna, a shield and metal enclosure is a must. HQI will emit UV rays A, B and C. It is UV A and B that you have to worry about. In the DIY HQI setup I have, the glass shield is tempered and is rated as UV protection. Check out Home Depot and look for outdoor 500 watt safety lights. Take time to read the labels and instructions. The 250W HQI bulb and sockets fit nicely in there. There is a thread here about DIY HWI lamps. That is where I got the info that got me started. HTH

Cheers,

Serge

 

[Monkey_Bone]

GO to your local glass shop and get a piece of 3/16'ths Low-E and tempered.
Thats What I did and the dang thing is STRONG!

 

[Siberia]

Monkey_Bone, out of curiosity, how much did it cost you to get that piece of glass at the local shop? For about 11$ CDN, I got a 500W lamp enclosure and the tempered UV filter glass. A little work allowed me to use it for a 250W DE lamp holder. Everything fits nicely together.

<==== Always looking for a cheaper alternative....

Cheers!