Glass for MH light pendants? UV?

[candide]

I bought a couple of used MH pendants, and in shipping one of the glass fixtures was shattered. I have the other one to match up to, and was told I needed to get UV filtering glass.

Well, so far Home depot, Lowes, Acehardware and 2 large local glass manufacturers in town have looked at me like I am an idiot when I ask for UV filtering glass.

Now, I'm not doubting their opinion of me, but am I phrasing this right? Any suggestions as to where I can go?

Thanks!

 

[SnowManSnow]

I know you're right with some HM bulbs you do need UV filtering glass or your corals will get burned if they are close to the surface. As far as where to get it.. I'm not sure. It's probably an issue of simply knowing what to call it. You COULD try the manufac. of the pendants and see if they can help you.

Good luck.

B

 

[Anonymous]

Are they DE or SE. For the double end you need shield for single end you do not. If they are single end I would not worry about it.

 

[Unarce]

It depends on which type of MH bulb you are using. If it's a single-end, the UV shield isn't necessary since the bulb is already incased in a glass envelope. If you have double-ends, than you'll definitely need a UV shield.

There isn't a glass specifically made for blocking UV, it's a standard property of glass. The thickness does determine how much UV-A and UV-B is blocked. I use 3/16". You'll want tempered glass, which will handle the heat a lot better.

 

[candide]

Ok, thanks guys. Yes it is a DE bulb, and the glass was thicker than Home Depot had. I'll just take the pane to the glass shop near here and see if they can match the thickness. It had a slight "green" tint if you look at the edge of the glass, so wasn't sure what was up with that.

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't worry too much about the thickness. It doesn't take much glass to filter out harmful UV.

What I would worry about it getting tempered glass. Untempered glass can easily shatter if it get splashed by a fish.

 

[Anonymous]

You will be hard pressed to find any glass that is *not* UV filtering. As mentioned above, it is property of common glass.

 

[Anonymous]

If you're bound and determined to get uv filtering glass, try a photography/art framing shop. They'll have it or tell you where to get it.

B

 

[Anonymous]

I wouldnt stress too much on the UV glass..think about it..corals adapted fairly well to UV stresses of the sun..a simple piece of tempered glass like reefnutz suggested will do you fine...