Glass cover on light 250 hqi broke

[Mattl22]

So my glass cover for 1 of my 250 hqi lights broke I've been running the light anyway and the coral at the top of that side of the tank seem to be a lot less polyp extent ion I'm guessing it's because the light is too much with out the cover?

2nd question can I replace this glass with glass from a glass shop I found a store that has them but they want 35$ for it seems crazy for a 12" x 4" pice of glass
Thanks as always for your help

 

[Widdy]

The glass aside from protecting the bulb, is more than likely used as a UV shield as well. Look for a UV filtering glass as a replacement.

 

[richiewwhite]

Did the glass (splash guard) break? or the glass tube that the HQI sits in? If there isnt a tube the glass splash guard might be a combined effort to block the harmful UV radiation that the HQI bulbs give off. You should order the exact one for the light so there will be no problem with the UV you could be bleaching out your corals maybe even killing some off

 

[masterswimmer]

Matt, the glass is a UV protection in addition to a splash guard, as those before me have stated. HOWEVER, what nobody has mentioned is this......the UV put out by the HQI bulbs is not only going to 'burn' coral that are in close proximity to the bulb, but if your eyes are exposed to the UV light it can cause cataracts in your eyes.

It's very important to use a UV shield in front of your HQI bulbs.
What fixture or pendant are you running? I'm sure we can help you out.

Russ

 

[Mattl22]

Ok that's why 2 of my frags at the top look like crap
Thanks a lot Russ I'm gonna run out now to the stow and get it
Laziness is defiantly does not fly in this hobby I should have gone out and got it 2 weeks ago