Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My new setup has the Aquaclear 500 filter where theres a waterfall type splash that goes around the tank. Since I need the water high for it to work, theres only about 6 inches of space between the water and the UVA/B Bulb...

The splash hits it and eventually it builds up to a little tear drop that falls. My question is - is this ok? Should I try to block the splash... the water is hitting the bulb just slightly.. it isn't hitting "the sides" of the bulb where there is power, rather just in the center. Should I get something to block the splash or is it ok to get those types of bulbs a bit wet?

I would try not to get the bulb wet. I know that flourescent bulbs don't get to hot but there still is a possiblity it could crack when splashed with water. Just to be on the safe side.....

Just wondering - I have a tank top that is pretty cool but one of the areas where I have the light on top of it, is glass! It's the aquarium type glass so I'm wondering should I leave this on?

This way if I leave it on, it won't splash directly on the bulb. But I'm wondering will this filter out the UVA/B light? I suppose theres a way I can cut out the glass but I'm wondering is this tank-glass-top the same as windows where it filters out the rays? if I leave it on will it not filter out the rays?

Ya the glass will filter out the UVB. Try to remove the glass.

Hi,

You should not have anything between your UVB bulb except
something like screen. Any other material will filter out
part of the rays. Also, your bulb is too close and has
the possibility of causing eye damage to your turtles.
The way I fixed this is I built a section that fits over
my 60 gallon rubbermaid container to lift the lights up
that way I can keep the water level higher. This way you
can get your lights at the correct distance and keep you
water level up.

Just an idea
Linda