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MH HQI question

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 10:57 am
by bluwtr
Since I have basically pieced together my lighting, I run 2 250HQI MH and two T5's. I am trying to redo my lights so I can have more room under my canopy to get my hands in my tank. I know that HQI bulbs use the glass shield to block UV light for protecion. I want to know if there would be any damaging effects to my coral and fish if I remove the glass. Since the lights are in the canopy the UV light is blocked from the room. Granted, I would run the risk of exposure with my arm in the tank or when I open the front for a few minutes, but other than that what are everyone's thoughts.



Thanks for the input.

Re: MH HQI question

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:18 am
by Amphiprion
I haven't done it personally, but I've heard horror stories from those that have, purposefully or not. Andy on these forums had a single-ended lamp that cracked and immediately started causing problems.

Re: MH HQI question

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 7:45 am
by bluwtr
Yeah, splashing water is a very mild concern because the way my system is set up, I basically never have to clean the glass. My biggest concern is the UV light entering the tank. I was wondering if it would affect the corals. I know that water blocks UV after a certain depth, but that wouldn't be achieved in a tank, however corals do grow at the very surface on some reefs and are also exposed during low tides. Maybe I'm just trying to chase a pipe dream to make more room. :?

Re: MH HQI question

Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:56 am
by Amphiprion
It'd be nice, if only to also get some extra intensity out of the lamps, since the glass attenuates some of it. I honestly thought about it myself, but I've heard of too many people having problems from the UV radiation. I mean, you get some regardless with MH, even with the glass, but I'm not terribly sure if it would be a good idea to increase the overall amount of incident UV light at once by just removing it.

Re: MH HQI question

Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 2:25 am
by rich850
I am a little late on this one but the shield is there for a reason on de metal halides because it is supposed to be there you will burn up your tank otherwise

Re: MH HQI question

Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:59 am
by bluwtr
I'm late on replying as well. The glass actually blocks UV from the user, not the tank. Water blocks UV but only after a certain depth so that was my question actually; I don't remember how deep. I think the splashing is the more important aspect of safety here so it looks like I will have to hit the drawing board more. Damn. :(