What thickness/type of glass to block uv from halides?

MedcinMn · 02/15/2008, 04:50 PM

I am looking to mod my AP-24 hood and install metal halides. What type/thickness of glass should I use to block the UV rays from entering the tank?

seapug · 02/15/2008, 06:01 PM

check auto glass repair shops in your area. Car window glass is UV shielded and about the thickness & quality you want.

rbursek · 02/15/2008, 06:24 PM

Yes but not flat and usually tinted. is it a DE or SE bulb, SE has a UV coating on it, but have a higher tendencies to burst, that is why the glass lens.
Bob

seapug · 02/15/2008, 08:24 PM

I don't think you can fit a SE in an AP Hood.
If you don't get the lowrider pimpmobile stuff, the tinting is usually nothing more than the UV shield. They usually do have flat pieces they will cut for you, at least the one by my house did.

widmer · 02/15/2008, 10:10 PM

I could have sworn that the glass is by nature a UV shield. What's more, a UV shield is only even ever utilized if the outer glass on the MH bulb is somehow broken. My coral supplier made all his metal halide hoods DIY, and hasn't ever had a glass shield on any of them. He's fine, the corals are great.

45commando · 02/15/2008, 10:48 PM

yes,regular glass blocks UV.Now it may not block 100% compared to some types of tint,but it blocks a very high amount.HTH

phurst · 02/15/2008, 11:17 PM

I use a sheet of regular glass from Lowes over my NC. I have a Coralife 150w DE fixture, with a glass shield around the bulb, but it's inadequate, and Coralife recommends using additional shielding. The plain old glass has done great.

02/15/2008, 04:50 PM	#1
MedcinMn Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Boca Raton, Fl Posts: 301	What thickness/type of glass to block uv from halides? I am looking to mod my AP-24 hood and install metal halides. What type/thickness of glass should I use to block the UV rays from entering the tank?

02/15/2008, 06:01 PM	#2
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	check auto glass repair shops in your area. Car window glass is UV shielded and about the thickness & quality you want. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

02/15/2008, 08:24 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	I don't think you can fit a SE in an AP Hood. If you don't get the lowrider pimpmobile stuff, the tinting is usually nothing more than the UV shield. They usually do have flat pieces they will cut for you, at least the one by my house did. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

02/15/2008, 10:48 PM	#6
45commando Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 1,321	yes,regular glass blocks UV.Now it may not block 100% compared to some types of tint,but it blocks a very high amount.HTH __________________ "It's not the size of the dog in the fight;It's the size of the fight in the dog!" -Sir Winston Churchill. Current Tank Info: 92G Corner tank, 250 wt 14K MH, 20G sump, 5G fuge, mixed reef

02/15/2008, 11:17 PM	#7
phurst Richmond Reefer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 5,837	I use a sheet of regular glass from Lowes over my NC. I have a Coralife 150w DE fixture, with a glass shield around the bulb, but it's inadequate, and Coralife recommends using additional shielding. The plain old glass has done great. __________________ _______ Pearson _______ Current Tank Info: Various tanks of various sizes with various gear.

02/15/2008, 06:24 PM	#3
rbursek Moved On Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: germantown,wi Posts: 2,339	Yes but not flat and usually tinted. is it a DE or SE bulb, SE has a UV coating on it, but have a higher tendencies to burst, that is why the glass lens. Bob

02/15/2008, 10:10 PM	#5
widmer Drug Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rochester, MN Posts: 2,958	I could have sworn that the glass is by nature a UV shield. What's more, a UV shield is only even ever utilized if the outer glass on the MH bulb is somehow broken. My coral supplier made all his metal halide hoods DIY, and hasn't ever had a glass shield on any of them. He's fine, the corals are great.