UV from lights question

[Bajamike]

Well here comes the first noob question. I just built some lighting for my sump and used some left over lights from my under cabinet lighting project. Anyway on the glass covers for the lights it states that its a UV filter. Should I remove the glass or leave it in?

Please tell me what you think I should do and why please. I want the why so I understand the why . Thank you

 

[Off The Deep End]

I would say to leave it in.. reason(and i could be wrong) it blocks UV from entering your water, think sunburn. I dont know if it would harm anything in the sump but i believe they will hurt corals. Also it might help as a splash guard, think water and electricity. HTH

 

[Cake_Boss]

Are you putting in a HQI?

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[Bajamike]

HQI?

 

[Cake_Boss]

Double end metal halide

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[oatyfruitybar]

I would say to leave it in.. reason(and i could be wrong) it blocks UV from entering your water, think sunburn. I dont know if it would harm anything in the sump but i believe they will hurt corals. Also it might help as a splash guard, think water and electricity. HTH

+1 on both of these, I'm scared to run lights without a glass cover. I shocked myself once by dropping a light in an aquarium as a kid. It seriously hurts.

Also yes, corals can be hurt by excessive UV light.

 

[andyrm66]

I dont want to answer for fear of talking about something I dont have a degree in, but as I have found out, the only bulbs that need a UV shield, as rocky said are double ended metal halide. Single ended or SE bulbs have an envelope surrounding the bulb which filters the UV. If you are putting T5 or CF or really anything besides HQI (aka double ended) then you should be fine without UV filkter glass.

 

[andyrm66]

Are you talking about those small halide lights? Found in DIY stores? I wonder how much UV those put out?

 

[hurrafreak]

I think it depends on what you are putting in the sump. I'm not sure if any extra UV from not having the shield would hurt any macro algae that you may have in there. But since it's just the sump I doubt you would have anything else besides algae, sand, and some other small critters.

 

[dvenson]

I dont want to answer for fear of talking about something I dont have a degree in, but as I have found out, the only bulbs that need a UV shield, as rocky said are double ended metal halide. Single ended or SE bulbs have an envelope surrounding the bulb which filters the UV. If you are putting T5 or CF or really anything besides HQI (aka double ended) then you should be fine without UV filkter glass.

there is more than one way to accomplish any task.
please give your input on any topic

 

[Cake_Boss]

the only bulbs that need a UV shield, as rocky said are double ended metal halide. Single ended or SE bulbs have an envelope surrounding the bulb which filters the UV. If you are putting T5 or CF or really anything besides HQI (aka double ended) then you should be fine without UV filter glass.

This was what I was getting at. What lights are putting in the sump?


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[Bajamike]

Thank you for all of your replys!!!

The ones in the sump. not sure what they are just puck type under cabinet light like you buy at home depot. Now I am guessing that I have another problem I am missing a glass panel on my main tank lights. Which are metal halide double ended. I got the light system used and only know the brand of one light, (had to replace one) It is coralife and has uv sheilded glass any way of knowing if the other bulbs are UV sheilded?