Light lost through glass?
- Thread starter ereefic1
- Start date
It's not so much the % of light lost through the glass, but the spectrum that is lost.
Most of the UV spectrum needed for corals is lost through standard glass.
(or so I've read)
Oceanic has a glass top developed that claims not to loose any spectrum through it.
(or so I 've read)
The best I can offer is if you can get away without glass, don't use it.
If you need to use a glass top, keep it clean.
Most of the UV spectrum needed for corals is lost through standard glass.
(or so I've read)
Oceanic has a glass top developed that claims not to loose any spectrum through it.
(or so I 've read)
The best I can offer is if you can get away without glass, don't use it.
If you need to use a glass top, keep it clean.
lfs, i believe you're correct. i'll suggest, if you need to keep the tank covered, going with eggcrate. but, if i recollect correctly the wavelengths lost are in the red end of the spectrum (digging up some old memory files here), and that end isn't as necessary (unless you're propagating specimens from very shallow waters). keep the glass clean, a vinegar/water mixture is what i've always used, and you shouldn't experience a significant loss.
I have a hypothesis...
cat hair must be present in the ocean
since it goes everywhere else in the house
even in a well cover tank :lol:
Sorry just got difficult to type, cat jumped on arms and bitting fingers.. :wink:
I would add a conopy to the tank well worth the investment.
plus it just make the tank look better(IMO)
cat hair must be present in the ocean
since it goes everywhere else in the house
even in a well cover tank :lol:
Sorry just got difficult to type, cat jumped on arms and bitting fingers.. :wink:
I would add a conopy to the tank well worth the investment.
plus it just make the tank look better(IMO)
I read a study about 3 years ago that stated that the loss through glass is minimal. I can't remember the exact percentage. Lots of opinions have been given on this, but this was an actual study measuring light with and without a glass cover. As for the spectrum loss, I don't think that is a significant issue either.
Hope this helps.
Terry
Hope this helps.
Terry
What do you guys do to keep your glasstops clean? My Oceanic 200G has a large piece of glass in the middle that's like 2 feet long so I know i'm going to have difficulty keeping it clean.
I read somewhere of someone using a thin layer of vaseline to keep salt creep away. Anyone tried this?
I read somewhere of someone using a thin layer of vaseline to keep salt creep away. Anyone tried this?
If I recall my Chemistry and Physics correctly the UV spectrum (not sure if it is A, B, or Both) is absorbed by the glass and re-emitted as Infrared. The energy associated with the UV spectrum is equivalent to that which is needed the break atomic bonds, while Infrared is of the proper energy to cause bond stretching (vibrational motion, aka "heat"). This is why you feel a noticeable difference in temperature from direct sunlight to that coming through a window (more IR through the window). There is a low Fe glass sold that minimizes the absorption of UV and allows it to pass through the glass. UVA is, in most cases, is very bad while UVB aids in the production of Vitamin D in many animals. Hope that helps some.
-Steve
-Steve
Thanks for the replys all. Actually i'm going to leave have the glass on because were putting on our single strip light that came with the tank. Trying to spread a little more light on the situation. Currently running 4x65w PC's, an additional 110w (i think, not sure what the standard strip is) 50/50 bulb.
hi.
The % question is a loaded question. This is because it is the absorption spectrum that is used. But if you insist in getting a single number, than I will say that for ordinary glass, 9% of spectrum is loss. For acrylic and Starphite, the percentage is about 3% or less. You can still read thru a block of acrylic 8 feet thick, but can't on a piece of glass that thick.
Assume that your glass is not tinted, anything less than 1/2 inch is not of concern.
Anything absorb energy (UV, VIS, etc) will heats up. Anything with temperature higher than the absolute zero (-273.15C) will admit radiation of some sort.
If Oceanic has something that does not loose any spectrum thru it, then they are selling you nothing (vaccuum).
The % question is a loaded question. This is because it is the absorption spectrum that is used. But if you insist in getting a single number, than I will say that for ordinary glass, 9% of spectrum is loss. For acrylic and Starphite, the percentage is about 3% or less. You can still read thru a block of acrylic 8 feet thick, but can't on a piece of glass that thick.
Assume that your glass is not tinted, anything less than 1/2 inch is not of concern.
Anything absorb energy (UV, VIS, etc) will heats up. Anything with temperature higher than the absolute zero (-273.15C) will admit radiation of some sort.
If Oceanic has something that does not loose any spectrum thru it, then they are selling you nothing (vaccuum).
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