MH newbie I need tips come on in!!!

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

What's up guys so I just picked up my first halide system and I'm loving it

It's a 250w DB fixture

So I was reading that your not allowed to touch the halide bulb with your hands as it will cause it to blow up?

Do I need to clean the bulbs and if I do with what?

Trex · Nov 11, 2015

SE

or DE bulbs?

DEs should not be touched. In addition, DE bulbs need a glass shield b/t them and anything else, or you will fry your corals. Do NOT look at a DE bulb without a glass shield in place.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

Yes, the oils in your hand can cause the glass to break. You have to understand that the plasma envelope operates between 1000-3000°C, so small impurities can cause failure in the outer bulb.

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

If you touched the bulbs with your bare hands, try cleaning them with alcohol before installing them. Make sure they are clean and allow plenty of time for the alcohol to evaporate before running them.

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

It's double ended

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

I always handled by bulbs with gloves or a clean, soft towel, and I never had any issues.

Trex · Nov 11, 2015

Spiderguardnano said:
It's double ended

Then you should use gloves when dealing with them, and make sure the UV glass shield is in place before turning them on.

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

Ok awesome

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

Do I really need a glass shield for the fixture?

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

This is much setup

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

Does the fixture already have a secondary glass shield? If so, that should be adequate.

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

No shield at all

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

Yeah, then you should install some sort of secondary shield.

Spiderguardnano · Nov 11, 2015

What are the reasons to do so?

What should I use?

AllSignsPointToFish · Nov 11, 2015

The shield reduces the output of UV radiation. However, as far as I understand it, UV only penetrates the top 1mm or so of water, so I never fully understood the recommendation. However, most manufacturers recommend the use of a shield. Any quartz glass should do as long as it is either kept away from the lamp to reduce operating temperatures or is rated for that specific application.

Trex · Nov 11, 2015

Personally, I would turn off that fixture until you have the glass shield. Have seen too many threads ( with pictures ) about the damage done to corals when used an DE without a shield.

Khh27 · Nov 11, 2015

Trex said:
Personally, I would turn off that fixture until you have the glass shield. Have seen too many threads ( with pictures ) about the damage done to corals when used an DE without a shield.

+1
why not get a 2$ peice of glass to protect 1k+ worth of investment