aquamedic pendant halide light shield

[WVfishguy]

I have an Aquamedic 250 HQI halide pendant which is missing the glass shield over the bulb. Anyone know where I can order one? I've struck out on the 'net. Also - I understand HQI bulbs need the shield to protect critters from UV. Is there a specific glass I must use for this shielding? Is this shielding completely necessary? I could scavenge a shield from a 150 watt pendant I'm not using.

[mcgyvr]

You can get the glass from aquamedic of course..
http://www.aquamedicusa.com/product-...acement-parts/

Its just regular old tempered float glass..
If the glass from the 150W light fits it will work just fine..

[WVfishguy]

Thank you! I googled Aquamedic before posting and got a message about "unavailable because of robots..." Weird. $40 for a piece of a small tempered glass. Oh well....

[mcgyvr]

Originally Posted by WVfishguy

Thank you! I googled Aquamedic before posting and got a message about "unavailable because of robots..." Weird. $40 for a piece of a small tempered glass. Oh well....

We have a light here at work that requires some glass over it..The company that sold the light wants $60 for it when it breaks... Our local glass shop sells us the replacement for $4..

You can likely get away without it being tempered too so if you have a local glass shop I'd go there if you know what thickness you need.. Probably just regular "double strength" as they sometimes call it..

[WVfishguy]

I believe - I may be wrong - tempered glass is leaded. I sure as hell know not to try to cut it! I was under the impression the lead protects against (excessive?) UV. Will regular glass do that, or is the HQI UV problem a myth?

[WVfishguy]

Glass company told me it's only heat treatment, no lead. Tempering, like steel. Makes sense. Never mind. Tempering won't affect UV protection, so I'm not going to worry about it. Thank you again, mcgyvr.

[mcgyvr]

^^correct..
There is iron in glass.. and "starfire glass (one brand)" is "low-iron" which improves its clarity..
But yes tempering its just a heat treatment process..

[WVfishguy]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

^^correct..
There is iron in glass.. and "starfire glass (one brand)" is "low-iron" which improves its clarity..
But yes tempering its just a heat treatment process..

I remember the iron in glass now - and Starfire was kind of a big deal when it came out. That's what I was thinking of - iron, not lead. Leaded glass is color tinted, as in decorative glass. I've been in aquariums so long I'm forgetting things. Reminds of the story of an old truck driver berating a young trucker: "Boy, I've FORGOT more about trucking than you know!" To which the younger man says; "Old man - you forgot EVERYTHING you knew!"