Looking for a plastic that will not block u/v

[Murano22s]

I am building a top for my aquarium to slow down evaporation. I need to avoid loosing u/v light from getting to my corals. What product would work best for my application. I have little knowledge on the subject and instead of wasting my time finding wrong information, I would just ask the people who make these things. Also What type of lighting would give me the best lighting for simulating the sun with the least amount of power to run.

 

[osp001]

Have you looked at UVT acrylic? Plexiglas makes several formulations; see the chart in the lower left hand corner:

http://www.solarkotedifference.com/literature/pdf/227.pdf

Not a lot better than glass, really.

 

[patprimmer]

Unless specifically formulated with UV absorbers or blockers, all clear acrylic (PMMA) is fully transparent to UV. That is why it is so famously stable to exposure. It can't be damaged if it does not absorb energy.

Regards
Pat
See FAQ731-376 for tips on use of eng-tips by professional engineers &

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm

for site rules

 

[Murano22s]

Correct me if I am wrong but most commercial glass blocks u/v which is why you dont get sunburn behind windows. I am looking to block less than commercial like plexi.

 

[Demon3]

Plexiglass is PMMA (acrylic). Pat is saying (correctly) that it adsorbs no UV so you will not get a material that adsorbs less than that, i.e. less than nothing.

The only exception (as stated) is if the PMMA you are looking at contains UV absorbers, then you should move to a grade that does not contain those.

Chris DeArmitt PhD FRSC CChem

http://www.phantomplastics.com

Consultant to the plastics industry

 

[Murano22s]

Ok so plexi with no u/v absorbers.
Thank you.