MH bulb cracked
- Thread starter cajamajo
- Start date
oceana
Active Member
Originally Posted by cajamajo
Hi all.
I was adjusting a ph and dripped a dab of water on my bulb. It is a single end bulb. I had to order a new one, but the old one still works. The crack is about an inch long on top of the bulb. My question is will it be ok to use until the new bulb gets here. :notsure:
thats all up to you. let look at to pros and cons
Pros
you dont go without light for a day or two.
cons
the bulb breaks because a fish splashed at the top of the water
glass goes into the tank
uv shield is gone
corals burning
water hits bare arc tube causing huge burst and electrical shortage and maybe even fire
super heated molten glass shards now fall among your corals.
ok ok i know i could have just said no you should not use it but i thought you might want some examples as to why.
i assume you have some sort of actinic like pc or VHO just use those until you get the new bulb in a few days. the coral will be fine. think of it as a cloudy storm week at sea
Hi all.
I was adjusting a ph and dripped a dab of water on my bulb. It is a single end bulb. I had to order a new one, but the old one still works. The crack is about an inch long on top of the bulb. My question is will it be ok to use until the new bulb gets here. :notsure:
thats all up to you. let look at to pros and cons
Pros
you dont go without light for a day or two.
cons
the bulb breaks because a fish splashed at the top of the water
glass goes into the tank
uv shield is gone
corals burning
water hits bare arc tube causing huge burst and electrical shortage and maybe even fire
super heated molten glass shards now fall among your corals.
ok ok i know i could have just said no you should not use it but i thought you might want some examples as to why.
i assume you have some sort of actinic like pc or VHO just use those until you get the new bulb in a few days. the coral will be fine. think of it as a cloudy storm week at sea
oceana
Active Member
Originally Posted by cajamajo
You got your point across. I will pay the extra shipping and have the bulb overnited. Would it work to put a piece of glass in the hood just in the area of the light to prevent splash on the bulb. My canopy is well vented.
as stated prior you should not use that bulb any longer. it does not have to be a splash. just the heating and coolling of the bulb causing it to expand and retract can break it the rest of the way as well. it is your tank but if it was me i would go without the light for a few days. heck check the LFS. if you have any good ones they should have a nice selection of bulbs. if you factor in shipping cost my guess is they will be very close in price
You got your point across. I will pay the extra shipping and have the bulb overnited. Would it work to put a piece of glass in the hood just in the area of the light to prevent splash on the bulb. My canopy is well vented.
as stated prior you should not use that bulb any longer. it does not have to be a splash. just the heating and coolling of the bulb causing it to expand and retract can break it the rest of the way as well. it is your tank but if it was me i would go without the light for a few days. heck check the LFS. if you have any good ones they should have a nice selection of bulbs. if you factor in shipping cost my guess is they will be very close in price
cajamajo
Member
I dont think you understand what I am saying. I am not going to use the bulb. I decided to have the new bulb overnited. My question on the glass over the light was ment for future use. Maby I did not make my self clear. One could not argue with the comments you made in yor first post. All the hard work thus far on my tank are not worth the risk you stated. I am not going to ask for advice and ignore a sound answer. I wish I had a good lfs around. I live in a small town in SC. The store that we have also is the gun store. Thank you for your help.
oceana
Active Member
hmmm. well it would not be a bad thing really as long as you dont cover to much of the tank as to lessen gass exchange. other then the small amount of light you will be blocking you should see no adverse effects.
i would calk it up to a accident and leave it be. i have never had a problem on any of my tanks and they are all open top with halides. BUT my lightsa re all in huge hoods that are around 10+ inches off the water
i would calk it up to a accident and leave it be. i have never had a problem on any of my tanks and they are all open top with halides. BUT my lightsa re all in huge hoods that are around 10+ inches off the water
acrylic51
Active Member
I agree with Oceana......I wouldn't cover the tank.....What happened was an accident and you learn from your mistakes....by you covering the tank you hinder the ability of gas exchange, trap unwanted and unnecessary heat and regardless if your canopy is "well vented" you'll have heat issues putting lids on it......plus you will also hinder the bulbs ability to penetrate the water.....You are filtering the bulb with the glass lids and depending on water quality/clarity that also hinders a bulbs ability to penetrate the water at it's best.....And on top of that you have to keep that glass lid perfectly clean which is more maintenance.
oceana
Active Member
Originally Posted by cajamajo
I dont think you understand what I am saying. I am not going to use the bulb. I decided to have the new bulb overnited. My question on the glass over the light was ment for future use. Maby I did not make my self clear. One could not argue with the comments you made in yor first post. All the hard work thus far on my tank are not worth the risk you stated. I am not going to ask for advice and ignore a sound answer. I wish I had a good lfs around. I live in a small town in SC. The store that we have also is the gun store. Thank you for your help.
hahahha i just noticed that last part. a fish store and a gun shop all in one.
you might be a redneck if........ lol j/k
I wonder how that business model meeting went.
billy bob: you know what would go good with our fish?
big Jim: how about some corals?
billy Bob: great idea jim. but we need something special what else you got ?
big Jim: how about a 357?
billy Bob: your a genius jim.
lol
I dont think you understand what I am saying. I am not going to use the bulb. I decided to have the new bulb overnited. My question on the glass over the light was ment for future use. Maby I did not make my self clear. One could not argue with the comments you made in yor first post. All the hard work thus far on my tank are not worth the risk you stated. I am not going to ask for advice and ignore a sound answer. I wish I had a good lfs around. I live in a small town in SC. The store that we have also is the gun store. Thank you for your help.
hahahha i just noticed that last part. a fish store and a gun shop all in one.
you might be a redneck if........ lol j/k
I wonder how that business model meeting went.
billy bob: you know what would go good with our fish?
big Jim: how about some corals?
billy Bob: great idea jim. but we need something special what else you got ?
big Jim: how about a 357?
billy Bob: your a genius jim.
lol
cajamajo
Member
Nothing against the people of SC, but I come from the Chicago are. My inlaws retired down here, and we came with them. It is a BIG change. I will leave it open the tank is doing so good. I can drive an hour to get to petsmart, or petland. Petsmart only has freshwater, and petland has limited saltwater. My best option is the big auction. Thanks.
wattsupdoc
Active Member
FYI.. When HID bulbs crack they have the potential (and myunderstanding is they usaully) to leak radiation. These can burn you skin and eyes somewhat. Imagine you livestock! :scared: