My MH light is missing it's UV glass...how bad is that?

[pjewett]

Hi All,

Recently I had gotten myself into a big rush with a water change and as I was dumping fresh RO water back in the tank some splashed up and hit the UV glass that protects the bulb and innards of my K-2 Viper 150W MH clamp on light.

I immediately heard that dreaded crackle as the UV plate shattered but did NOT drop any glass in the tank. With my patience now returned I carefully pulled the light away from the tank and unscrewed and removed the broken glass.

I've ordered a replacement via JbjNanoCubes.com but I'm having a hell of a time actually getting it. I ordered almost 2 weeks ago and it's not shipped out yet. I've inquired about this but I'm getting the run around and now they're actually ignoring me and I've only inquired once!

Anyway I have 2 questions.

1. Anyone know where else I can get this replacement glass?
2. It's my understanding that this UV glass is protecting me and my livestock from harmful UV rays. It's been 2 weeks now that they (and I) have been exposed. How worried should I be? I have close to 20 different species of coral plus fish and inverts and they all SEEM OK right now.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[ZANYMASTER]

They can't Express it to you?Don't have a back up light?

 

[sanjay]

If they have survived 2 weeks there is no need to panic. The corals will mostly be fine. Some of the MH lamps are not as bad for UV output.

I would try to protect your eyes just in case to be safe. Wear sun glasses around your tank

sanjay.

 

[pjewett]

They can't Express it to you?Don't have a back up light?

Apparently they can't get it out and shipped at all but I suppose I can ask...like I said though they didn't respond to my last email and I'm a day or so past when they said they would contact me. They don't provide a number you can call to actually get a human either.

I have spare lighting but not anything that will work on my hex.

 

[masterswimmer]

If they have survived 2 weeks there is no need to panic. The corals will mostly be fine. Some of the MH lamps are not as bad for UV output.

I would try to protect your eyes just in case to be safe. Wear sun glasses around your tank

sanjay.

Protecting your eyes and anyone else looking at your tank is actually the important issue here. The spillover light that you see from the sides of the light are harmful to your eyes in prolonged exposure. The light going through the water itself is being filtered, the light coming from the space between the fixture and the tank is the dangerous spillover.

UV protective sunglasses is advisable.....until you get the replacement shield.

Russ

 

[masterswimmer]

FYI, you can use any piece of UV protective glass to replace the broken shield. Just get it cut to the size you need. Other than UV protection it is really nothing special. 1/8" UV protective glass will work fine.

swimmer

 

[Killerdrgn]

Oh Sh*t I've been using my 175W SE MH unit all this time without a glass uv shield. I don't think my eyes are damaged really. Though the lights have been positioned below my knees for this whole time.

 

[prattreef]

Oh Sh*t I've been using my 175W SE MH unit all this time without a glass uv shield. I don't think my eyes are damaged really. Though the lights have been positioned below my knees for this whole time.

The worry is only with DE MH lamps as most don't have a protective UV coating. SE lamps have the outer glass envelope which serves this purpose.

 

[Killerdrgn]

The worry is only with DE MH lamps as most don't have a protective UV coating. SE lamps have the outer glass envelope which serves this purpose.

Oh thank god! I'm not going to go blind.

 

[prattreef]

Oh thank god! I'm not going to go blind.

I'd still try to avoid staring at a MH lamp if at all possible.

 

[masterswimmer]

Oh thank god! I'm not going to go blind.

That's not the ONLY way to go blind :duh: At least that's what my mom told me

swimmer

 

[Marteen]

Any kind of glass will filter UV just get a glass shop to cut you something to size. If you ask they could probably put a extra layer of UV filter on it as well.

 

[NYPDFrogman]

That's not the ONLY way to go blind :duh: At least that's what my mom told me

swimmer

NO UV shield on my MH ever! SE bulbs with lumenarcs no harm to tank
I have to wear glasses now but I at least I dont have to shave my palms!

 

[pjewett]

Well I just heard back from the supplier and the lens is backordered. Guess I have no choice but to try a Home Depot or something.

Just need to figure out the measurements now and hope this will be a quick thing. What a hassle.