DE UV GLASS...

[reefman23]

What kind of glass do you guys/gals have on your MH setups? I am having a hard time finding UV glass that is also tempered. I originally purchased the glass from Michaels crafts, but quickly (and challengingly) returned it due to some posts on websites stating that their Michaels glass cracked from the heat.

I am still rather confused on this topic, as well. Is tempered glass enough UV protection, as it does block SOME UV? Or do I DEFINETLY need UV glass...If i do, where do you recommend purchasing such glass?

I talked to one glass store, and they recommended the best option as being buying a $15 piece of tempered and getting it UV tinted at a tint shop.

By the way, I need a piece that is 9 3/4" x 19 1/8"

Thanks,
jesse

 

[reefman23]

anyone?

 

[sadielynn]

Dont know if you have an auto shop or glass cutter in the area , perhaps window tint from an auto detail shop ?

 

[ripcurrent]

I've bought glass from micheals before and didnt have a problem although the best thing to do is get tempered glass like you mentioned. Tempered glass blocks UV and is extremely heat resistant. A local glass shop will have and can cut it for you. Hope this helps. Take care.

 

[ripcurrent]

Just curious though... the suns emits UV rays and I dont see a glass barrier between it and the ocean. Whats up with that?

 

[reefman23]

Dont know if you have an auto shop or glass cutter in the area , perhaps window tint from an auto detail shop ?

Yess...it was suggested to me my a glass shop owner to get tempered glass and then get it tinted. I am going to look into that this weekend. tempered alone doesnt block all UV light...laminated does because of the plastic film in between the two pieces of glass (but laminated glass isnt tempered.

I've bought glass from micheals before and didnt have a problem although the best thing to do is get tempered glass like you mentioned.

The stuff Michaels sells isnt tempered as is realy thin...Im placing it about 1" to 2" away from the reflector/lamp.

 

[skipm]

If I remember correctly the earths atmosphere filters out much of the UV radiation, thats one of the things that makes the hole in the ozone layer a big thing.
Do you have the room to move a regular piece of glass a little further from the bulb to help cut down on the heating issue? Another option would be to aquire the glass from a light fixture like a quartz halogen floodlight but you wouldn't be able to get the exact size you want. HTH, Skip

 

[reefman23]

Do you have the room to move a regular piece of glass a little further from the bulb to help cut down on the heating issue?

The farthest that i can move it away is a total of 3" from the bottom of the MH reflector. What do you mean "regular" glass? Is regular tempered enough? Do you NEED uv glass? I heard this was the case.

 

[ripcurrent]

just suggesting some routes that I have used with success

 

[reefman23]

just suggesting some routes that I have used with success

No, its just that I bought that stuff and actually installed it in my canopy until i read a couple threadfs about it cracking from the heat and falling into peoples tanks.

didnt mean to come across wrong.

jesse

 

[sadielynn]

What about contacting places that make the lights and asking if you could buy a piece cut to your specs ?

 

[reefman23]

That might be a possibility...maybe a pricey possibilty.

thank you

 

[skipm]

Does it have to be the size you mentioned or do you have a little room to adjust the glass? One option I just thought about was automotive glass, The sliding glass from a pickups rear window should work if you can accomodate the size. All automotive glass is tempered and I am pretty sure its also UV rated. You may be able to find one of the windows like I mentioned at a auto salvage yard pretty cheap.
The only other thing that comes to mind right now if you need that exact size would be to add a fan to blow acrossed the UV glass you already have to keep temps under control. HTH, Skip

 

[reefman23]

The only other thing that comes to mind right now if you need that exact size would be to add a fan to blow acrossed the UV glass you already have to keep temps under control. HTH, Skip

Actually, i was amazingly able to get them to return the custom-cut piece of glass!!

so i no longer have it.

 

[sadielynn]

How are you making out finding your glass ? I called our local glass shop for the sizes you give at 1/16 thick it is $5.50 :mrgreen:

 

[reefman23]

How are you making out finding your glass ? I called our local glass shop for the sizes you give at 1/16 thick it is $5.50 :mrgreen:

Is that just for regular glass? And also I was looking for 1/8"...i think 1/16 is a little thin.

thank you for doing that!

 

[sadielynn]

Is that just for regular glass? And also I was looking for 1/8"...i think 1/16 is a little thin.

thank you for doing that!

your welcome
nope that is uv glass but 1/16 inch is all they have they cut it to your size and that was the estimate given what about pinning or fastening them to gether to get your thickness :mrgreen:

 

[reefman23]

what about lexan? the lexan XL10 that they sell at homedepot is supposed to block 85%-90% of the UV and can stand temps up to 212 degrees. Not to mention that it is 100's of times stronger than glass and is a fraction of the cost.

 

[sadielynn]

I could call them and see about lexan , My contact there is calling his contact to see about both the lexan and the 1/8 inch glass I would think I should hear by tomorrow at latest by friday I will keep you posted to see if they can get this stuff :mrgreen:

 

[sadielynn]

http://www.accutechplastic.com/marine.html
about 1/4 down the page gives the stats on the lexan xl 10
http://www.piedmontplastics.com/prodtyp ... 0&TYPE=350
1800638-6631 has that stuff in 1/8 19 x 48 long =36 plus 10 bucks shipping to pa
21x54 = 44buck + 10 shipping they were a little less than helpful you may be able to search out the search engine for lexan xl10 and ask to buy a sample in the size you are looking for they will usually do it if they feel they will get free advertising and at a cost of around 15 -20 bucks 1-888-418-9354 is the number to pedimont hq give them your zip and maybe they have a sales office in ca , just a thought :mrgreen: