Lighting and UV

[Pablo Mithels]

I am getting a variety of information on UV eminating from MH and T5 lighting. I have recently started a tank again after about 5 years and have never used a sheet of glass between the light and the water, I am told that this is incorrect and it is damaging my reef.
I never had anything die and all seemed extremely healthy for the about 6 years it was running...

i know things have changed in the years... is this a concern?

 

[Pablo Mithels]

anyone???

Anyone? Well, maybe I should not worry about it.

 

[Krish]

What type of metal halide bulbs are you using? A SE/Mogul base bulb's glass will be made from UV protecting material to protect your tank from harmful UV rays which is why you will see these being used with nothing underneath them in retro setups and the tank not being affected by it at all. Just the raw bulb over open water. DE/HQI bulbs on the otherhand will require a UV protecting glass to be used underneath it which usually comes in the fixture/pendant they are housed in. If retro, you will have to add your own. To my knowledge, I don't think any HQI bulbs have a UV protecting shield like the SE bulbs do, but could be wrong.

 

[Pablo Mithels]

Mogul-radium

Thankyou! I was a little worried ... but nothing ever had an issue b4!