Need a lense cover.......

[FragMaster]

I need a lense cover for my 60" hood.
I dont think I can go with acrylic as I am using 250w DE's.
Any reccomendations on glass types?
I am going tomorow to have it cut.
Thanks!

 

[trido]

1/4" should be plenty strong if thats what your asking. As a shelf it could hold about 50# with a brace in the middle.

 

[FragMaster]

"I need a lense cover for my 60" hood. "
:lol:


I am asking which type of glass I should be using as my protective cover.

 

[trido]

That is what i thought. I was thinking you wanted something like 60"x18"x 1/4" thick. You are then going to attach it to the underside right? You may want to special order a peice of tempered glass though. I was a window installer for about six years. I recomend going to a window/glass company and let them know what your up to. They will know what you need better than anyone.

 

[FragMaster]

Yep. Strength I am not so worried about. The fixture isnt going to be flexing or anything,and there will be absolutly no wieght bearing on the glass what so ever.
I am more worried about getting the correct glass with uv filtering capabilities that will not block or distort the out put of my DE lamps.

 

[Unarce]

I am more worried about getting the correct glass with uv filtering capabilities that will not block or distort the out put of my DE lamps.

Standard or tempered glass will do the same job of filtering UV. The tempered glass will handle the heat better.

I remember Mike Paletta showing a group of us some pictures of regular versus low-iron glass as a light shield. The colors were more bibrant in the photo of the tank under the low-iron glass.

 

[FragMaster]

The glass will be roughly 6 inches from the bulbs,with two fans ( 1 pushing, 1 pulling). Ya' think none tempered say 1/4 will do the trick?(as in stand the heat long term)

 

[Unarce]

Standard glass would probably work, if it's that far from the bulb. The biggest concern is how it will handle rapid changes in temperature. If water splashes on it when the lights been running for a couple of hours, there's definitely a strong possibility of it breaking. A lot less likely with tempered glass.

 

[FragMaster]

Guess I will order a piece from the glass shop tomorow then.
Any types that arent tinted?

 

[Nautilus1]

A little Uv light is a good thing IMO. Wild corals are exposed to a large amout of UV. Some believe that the amount of green flourescent pigments is related to UV exposure. All acrylics block UV but not all glass.

 

[FragMaster]

I have 1/4" acrylic. but will it stand th heat? It will be a 5 foot by 11.5" sheet, wont it sag from the heat?
How about polycarbonate?

 

[Nautilus1]

It will sag from the heat and probably if i remeber correctly, turn white in a few places after a couple of years. Depends on the type of acrylic I guess.

 

[FragMaster]

ALoha Nautilus! Thanks for the in put!