So my clam killed my metal halide light

R

Reefer Rae

Yesterday I was doing a little maintenance in the tank and had the water about even with my clams mantle when I guess he had enough and decided to turn out the lights for me . He squirted a stream of water and hit the glass lense on the hqi bulb shattering it . So my question is where can I get a replacement lense and what type of glass should it be ? No about the fixture it's a eBay type with no name brand on it it's 24" long with a 150hqi and 2 24" t-5s the glass is 3 7/8 my 6 1/2 inches and 3/16 thick any help would be great .
Thanks yall
 
I would go to a glass cutting shop and have them cut you a new piece. Not sure if it should be tempered or not.
 
If it shattered it is tempered glass. If it is like spider web crack it is reg. glass

the main purpose for the glass shield is to block the UV radiation. Not sure if your gonna be able to find a replacement that small. I was looking for tempered glass for a DIY lumenarcs for DE bulbs but could not find any.

Good luck. I would get your measurements and see if someone on RC has done with your same situation.
 
@derek4real wrote:
If it shattered it is tempered glass. If it is like spider web crack it is reg. glass said:
I think you mean the other way around. Annealed glass shatters into jagged shards, whereas tempered (laminated) glass breaks into small chunks resembling a spider web or mosaic pattern.
Click to expand...
 
you want tempered glass. i had to replace mine couple years ago you should call the manufacturer or contact ebay seller about getting a replacement piece sent. glass shopps cost too much to get a custom piece of tempered glass cut.
 
also do not run your mh without the glass as you will kill your livestock as it will cook them with uv light
 
@kuyatwo wrote:
also do not run your mh without the glass as you will kill your livestock as it will cook them with uv light said:
Make sure you pay attention to this and do not use that light at all until you replace that glass.
Click to expand...
 
Isnt there a difference b/t regular glass shields and the ones used under double ended bulbs, they have some sort of uv protective coating, right?
 
Tempered glass can handle the heat of the bulb, while regular glass will not. They are never interchangeable.
 
@Rick wrote:
[I]@kuyatwo wrote:[/I][quote="also do not run your mh without the glass as you will kill your livestock as it will cook them with uv light said:
Make sure you pay attention to this and do not use that light at all until you replace that glass."]


Uhh is this for HQI only ? I have mogul MH lights and no glass.. jsut the bulbs and reflectors....

If the glass doesn't filter UV light... what difference does it make?

Dont these critters get UV light in nature?
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@Austintatious wrote:
[I]@Rick wrote:[/I][quote="[I]@kuyatwo wrote:[/I][quote="also do not run your mh without the glass as you will kill your livestock as it will cook them with uv light said:
Make sure you pay attention to this and do not use that light at all until you replace that glass."]


Uhh is this for HQI only ? I have mogul MH lights and no glass.. jsut the bulbs and reflectors....

If the glass doesn't filter UV light... what difference does it make?

Dont these critters get UV light in nature?"]


This is for DE bulbs only, as the SE(mogul) bulbs are encased in glass that provides the UV protection. When you look at a SE(mogul) lamp, only the small section in the middle is the actual bulb(looks like a mini DE bulb because it is), the outer section is just a case..... not true for the DE(HQI) bulbs.

Cheers,
Click to expand...
 
Hey guys thanks for the replys and help , here's what I'm running in to none of the lfs have any idea where to get the glass and I've gotten several different explanations from them and I'm sure yall are correct about the tempered glass ( that's straight from ushio ) the part that's difficult about this is none of the local glass shops can temper such a small piece . I'm sure in china where these things come from they punch out a million at a time but I can't find the for sale anywhere . I'm at the point I may get some from a work lamp and clip it to the fixture with metal brackets . Now to my next concern how long do I have before my clam and corals have problems from no light ?
Thanks for the help yall
 
I have heard that clams squirt... Ive never seen it except in cartoons. I have told other people this and they don't believe me. I wish someone would get it on video!

ohh cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh2M0Rcv7rc
 
If the glass size is the same as a flood/work light from Home Depot, that may be your cheapest option.

Of course any glass shop should be able to get you exactly what you need, tempered. They may tell you have you to wait a week for it to be processed though, and I know you don't have the time for that.
 
What size do you need I have couple pieces from different hqi fixtures the I gutted out for parts
 
smallest piece i have is 6 1/2" x 12" you are more than welcome to have it. just fyi you can not cut tempered glass. some people saw you can but once the glass is heat tempered that is usually it. best bet is to call or write the manufacturer and ask for a new piece
 
So, what happened? Revenge of the Metal Halide? Post a pic of your light and I bet someone here will tell you the manufacture. Once you know that you should be able to find replacement glass online. Rig something up with the oversized glass avaiable until you can get new one ordered. Use your bailing wire and duct tape, you are the redneck reefer, right.
 
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