DE MH bulbs???

[crazyc]

This may seem like a dumb question but I’ve heard that you need some sort glass shield around the DE MH bulbs. Is this true? I was thinking about getting a DE bulb but when I ran across this information I needed to ask some of the experts. All I have now is a cheepo PC kit similar to the coralvue with that plastic cover to shield the lights. I was going to build my own hood and use the two PC lights with a 250w icecap. I’m pretty sure the MH will just melt the plastic cover if I was to install it into the lights I have now, correct??? Let me know from you experts.

 

[thegrog]

Yes, DE MH bulbs need glass UV shields.
Yes, MH will melt that plastic cover if they are too close to it (like within 6 inches).
In addition, you have to mount MH bulbs 8-10 inches from the water surface.....much farther away than for PC bulbs. Retrofitting a PC fixture with MH is just a bad idea if that is what you are thinking about. MH bulbs put out WY more heat than a PC bulb. Your fixture will get very hot, most likely will melt, and possible catch fire.

 

[golfish]

any light fixture you buy for DE's will come with a shield if its hobby realted.
These suckers get hot so try to keep em away from plastic. I suggest pendants with an open top tank but if your building a canopy remember its a lot easier to lower the bulbs in the canopy then raise em.