MH bulb glass busted, bulb still worKing, house haunted?

[trigger0214]

All,

In my lazyness/resistance to do a much needed water change, I decided to pump the new salt water back to my reef with a small (house) sump pump. Long story short...the pump went on, the hose filled up, the flow kicked up and hit my MH pendant, the bulb blew up.

Much to my surprize, the bulb still works...even after I turned it off and on again! There is NO outer glass. Howver the inner glass is still intact.

I have to assume that the outer glass is a protective cover. I have a new bulb on the way.....

Is there any issue with running like this for a few days????

CAN I run like this for a few days?

 

[Len]

The outer bulb is primarily for protection of the elements inside. It does absorb some UV, so be careful to watch for bleaching. Personally, I'd go without the halide until you get a new one. The chance of damage to the inner bulb is too great and with too much risk.

 

[DaveMorris1]

They are EXTREMELY dangerous to run without the outside glass. I use video projectors that use similar lamps and any arc style lamp should not be used when it is damaged at all. Both the inner globe as well as the outer globe are pressurized. Running it without the outer globe will definately cause the inner globe to explode. It can also start a fire in the process very easily.

I would not use it.

 

[IceMan0124]

trash it, and be very careful, the innards arent only bad for your tank, they are very bad for you and your family as well, I've gotten into the habit of turning off my MH during water changes, its a lot safer, and not that much of a disruption, DONT fire it again, marine depot has a 2 day fed ex option, wich is only 3-4 bucks more than standard 5-7 day ground, and their bulb prices are very good, your tank will be fine without it for a few days

 

[Anonymous]

You have been well advised by the above three posters.

Louey

 

[Anonymous]

Most bulb are designed in such a way that once the outer glass is compromised, the bulb is no longer working. I guess yours does not have this safety feature.

As mentioned above, you can run it like this, but for the extra few days of photosynethsis that you get out of it, it is not worth the risk.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah I've had a fish flick some water on my bulb and put a good sized crack in it, the bulb still worked for a few weeks then eventually stopped working, I'm guess the safety feature kicked in, maybe the crack was not complete and that the constant heating/cooling of the bulb managed to widen it so that I would work.

 

[IceMan0124]

another note, if you cant remove the bulb from the socket without breaking the inner bulb, buy a new socket assembly, it would also be wise to dispose of it at a recyclying center or some place that deals with hazardous waste, these lamps contain losts of nasty bits that can do horrible things to a person, and should be treated with great care and respect. I personally think the warnings and disposal instructions arent clear enough on the bulbs packaging and most users arent aware of how dangerous these bulbs can be if mishandled.

 

[IceMan0124]

http://www.sylvania.com/content/display ... =003673676

I know this isnt your exact bulb, but for all intents and purposes, the same warnings do apply