can fish get sunburned by a MH?

shabreeson · 02/26/2008, 09:06 PM

I know that this is a weird question because water tends to reflect UV light but I'm just trying to make sure.

I made my own light fixture. meaning I designed the frame and had my uncle fabricate it with high quality stainless steel, and then I mounted 4 Normal output florescent bulbs in it and then installed a MH. The MH is protected from splashing with a tempered piece of glass because the MH only sits 4 inches away from the water surface.

The MH is 250 W, it was on for 12 hours a day for a brief period but I got a secondary timer and is only on for 6 right now.

but I recently noticed that the top of my Flame angel is a little bit browner than the rest of its body. it doesn't look like a parasite to me because it is flush with his body, but I could be wrong. he has been in my tank for 3 or more months and has been a model fish other than his territorial nature.

(I would post a pic but I'm @ school on week days)

demonsp · 02/26/2008, 09:10 PM

4 inches MB a little low.It will cause a higher water temp.But im not sure this could burn the fish.But they will stress from a light upgrade. If you upgraded and just used at full time then this will stress coral and fish and may even cause an algea bloom from small to outa control. Also 12 full hours of main light MB a little much. I go 7 hours main and 2 hours antics with 1 hour before main in the morning and 1 hour after main in the evening.

shabreeson · 02/26/2008, 09:24 PM

I definitely agree that the full 12 hours was too much but I actually was testing how much it would raise the temperature of the tank. I set the few corals that I have really low in the tank. and the fish seem well other than my angels new tan...when it comes to an algae bloom, yes there is a good one going on but I am only starting with corals now so I have plenty of time to get it in check.

mouscacha · 02/26/2008, 09:25 PM

I do know that if you just started using a carbon reactor you could remove certain UV reflectors from your water.

shabreeson · 02/26/2008, 09:27 PM

does a bag of carbon count? if not then no.

PUGroyale · 02/26/2008, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shabreeson

but I recently noticed that the top of my Flame angel is a little bit browner than the rest of its body.

just a tan

shabreeson · 02/26/2008, 09:43 PM

yea it looks like it

evoracer · 02/26/2008, 10:23 PM

DE or SE bulb? I beleive that DE bulbs lack the UV shield that SE bulbs have.

shabreeson · 02/26/2008, 10:28 PM

it is SE... and I have tempered glass right underneath (most glass doesn't let the UV through). I don't know, I'll just have to wait and see.

OneReef · 02/26/2008, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by evoracer
DE or SE bulb? I beleive that DE bulbs lack the UV shield that SE bulbs have.

I think that is backwards if I am not mistaken. I guess you mean the bulb itself though, I was thinking of the glass plate most pendants have, but you are right if speaking about the bulb

its fry · 02/27/2008, 12:37 AM

If this were true, I'd think that we'd be able to find more on it.

02/26/2008, 09:06 PM	#1
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	can fish get sunburned by a MH? I know that this is a weird question because water tends to reflect UV light but I'm just trying to make sure. I made my own light fixture. meaning I designed the frame and had my uncle fabricate it with high quality stainless steel, and then I mounted 4 Normal output florescent bulbs in it and then installed a MH. The MH is protected from splashing with a tempered piece of glass because the MH only sits 4 inches away from the water surface. The MH is 250 W, it was on for 12 hours a day for a brief period but I got a secondary timer and is only on for 6 right now. but I recently noticed that the top of my Flame angel is a little bit browner than the rest of its body. it doesn't look like a parasite to me because it is flush with his body, but I could be wrong. he has been in my tank for 3 or more months and has been a model fish other than his territorial nature. (I would post a pic but I'm @ school on week days) __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

02/26/2008, 09:24 PM	#3
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	I definitely agree that the full 12 hours was too much but I actually was testing how much it would raise the temperature of the tank. I set the few corals that I have really low in the tank. and the fish seem well other than my angels new tan...when it comes to an algae bloom, yes there is a good one going on but I am only starting with corals now so I have plenty of time to get it in check. __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

02/26/2008, 09:27 PM	#5
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	does a bag of carbon count? if not then no. __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

02/26/2008, 09:43 PM	#7
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	yea it looks like it __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

02/26/2008, 10:23 PM	#8
evoracer Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: San Luis Obispo, CA Posts: 571	DE or SE bulb? I beleive that DE bulbs lack the UV shield that SE bulbs have. __________________ ______________________________________________________ Jeremy Second-Decade Club!

02/26/2008, 09:10 PM	#2
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	4 inches MB a little low.It will cause a higher water temp.But im not sure this could burn the fish.But they will stress from a light upgrade. If you upgraded and just used at full time then this will stress coral and fish and may even cause an algea bloom from small to outa control. Also 12 full hours of main light MB a little much. I go 7 hours main and 2 hours antics with 1 hour before main in the morning and 1 hour after main in the evening.

02/26/2008, 09:25 PM	#4
mouscacha Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 348	I do know that if you just started using a carbon reactor you could remove certain UV reflectors from your water.

02/26/2008, 10:28 PM	#9
shabreeson Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 761	it is SE... and I have tempered glass right underneath (most glass doesn't let the UV through). I don't know, I'll just have to wait and see. __________________ Regards, Mike Current Tank Info: 55 gallon mixed reef, 55 sump with a 20 gal refugium, 2 A. Allardi.,2 Bartlett's Anthias

02/27/2008, 12:37 AM	#11
its fry Moved On Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Cincinnati Ohio Posts: 125	If this were true, I'd think that we'd be able to find more on it.