Broken MH bulb

[pipermurphy]

I did a [acronym:7172413575="Do it yourself"]DIY[/acronym:7172413575] hood for my tank a few months ago. All was fine until I went to clean the Bulbs ( 2 [acronym:7172413575="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:7172413575]&2 [acronym:7172413575="Power compact fluorescent"]PC[/acronym:7172413575]). One of the 175w [acronym:7172413575="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:7172413575] bulbs was cracked about halfway up from the mogul base& with a gap of about 1 inch between the 2 halves, it still worked but the internals were exposed. When I built the hood I left no barrier between the tank and the bulbs due to a 14" gap between them. I am now rethinking the idea, what do you all use or do? Any help or advice would be appreciated. Thanks again

[BillyZ]

well i'd be a little concerned about heat perhaps, so I don't know if you'd want to completely enclose the light, but perhaps a simple splash shield beneath the bulp would be enough. A piece of acrylic that you can mount beneath the bulb might be all you need.


[acronym:29539a861a="Just My Opinion"]JMO[/acronym:29539a861a]

[reefrunner69]

I don't put anything between my bulb and the water. From your description, it is the [acronym:9abc44c33e="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:9abc44c33e] shield that broke, [acronym:9abc44c33e="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:9abc44c33e] bulbs are tiny and enclosed in a [acronym:9abc44c33e="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:9abc44c33e] shield.

[pipermurphy]

So should I still use the [acronym:40fff5cc02="Metal halide light"]MH[/acronym:40fff5cc02] bulb without the shield and have it exposed to the [acronym:40fff5cc02="Saltwater"]SW[/acronym:40fff5cc02] evap? or buy a new one for $65 + ? have you had this happen to you? What would have caused the bulb to crack?

[reefrunner69]

No, do not use the buld without the [acronym:da935b1368="Ultra Violet"]UV[/acronym:da935b1368] shield. Not sure why it cracked, I would talk to the people I bought the bulb from, they may warranty the bulb.