Broken MH bulb

[pipermurphy]

I did a DIY hood for my tank a few months ago. All was fine until I went to clean the Bulbs ( 2 MH&2 PC). One of the 175w MH 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.


JMO

[reefrunner69]

I don't put anything between my bulb and the water. From your description, it is the UV shield that broke, MH bulbs are tiny and enclosed in a UV shield.

[pipermurphy]

So should I still use the MH bulb without the shield and have it exposed to the SW 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 UV shield. Not sure why it cracked, I would talk to the people I bought the bulb from, they may warranty the bulb.