What can I use for a MH light lens?

[jkhudson]

I am going to add another 250w MH light to my canopy. I want to add a shield under the lights to reduce the amount of heat my tank will receive. Which would be better: glass or acrylic? It's going to be a large piece so I would prefer to use plastic because of the weight. What kind should I use and where can I get it? TIA John Hudson.

 

[pwhitby]

I would say glass. Its likely acrylic would melt that close to a MH bulb.

 

[dugg]

These are a little pricey, but they work great. You can hook up airducts to them and completely do away with heat issues from your lights. They are made with pyrex so no breaking worries.

http://www.insidesun.com/index.php?action=item&id=256&prevaction=category&previd=3&prevstart=0

 

[VCoo71]

are you wanting the glass to sit ontop of the tank?

Paul is right on the acrylic...it wouldnt last long
i wouldnt reccomend a lid on the tank...that would trap more heat then anything

do you have any fans in your canopy?

charlie

 

[jkhudson]

I've got 4 3" fans. 2 blowing, 2 sucking (no jokes please!). I want to reduce the heat transfered to my tank from the lights. I'm moving my ballast which is blocking 2 of the fans, which should help, but I wanted more options. I have glass tops on my tank which hold in alot of heat but I'm paranoid about taking them off since my tank is in direct line with our kitchen and air quality is a concern.

 

[dugg]

It is really best if you can keep from having anything between the lights and the water. Most glass has UV protection qualities that block a lot of the light spectrum from reaching the corals. Having a glass top also hampers gas exchange and evaporation.

 

[VCoo71]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8361554#post8361554 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jkhudson
I've got 4 3" fans. 2 blowing, 2 sucking (no jokes please!). I want to reduce the heat transfered to my tank from the lights. I'm moving my ballast which is blocking 2 of the fans, which should help, but I wanted more options. I have glass tops on my tank which hold in alot of heat but I'm paranoid about taking them off since my tank is in direct line with our kitchen and air quality is a concern.

if it were me i would get rid of the glass tops....there just gonna keep more heat in
i wouldnt worry too much about the air quality ...you gonna be doing more evaporating out of the tops the letting anything in

JMO

charlie

 

[captbunzo]

And the glass tops aren't going to solve any sort of air quality issues you may have. In fact, if they did, everything in your tank would die from lack of oxygen. So try with the lids off.....