Habitat - Outdoor :: Will screen material block UVA/UVB rays from the sun?

[wadd]

I have just made a screen cover over my outdoor pond to help keep it cleaner. It is working wonders with all the falling leaves and debris. I also use a feeding take when I feed her and that is the only way to go.

Does window screen material block the UVA/UVB rays from the sun?

[gwennie]

Yes, it would block the beneficial UVA/UVB rays if it's a tight mesh screen for windows.

[Spike 7.62]

What size screen are we talking about?

Think about it, if there is a lot of shadow and not a lot of light, then yes, the light is being blocked. If there is a lot of light and not a lot of shadow, then no, the light is not being blocked.

The material itself will not steal the UV rays, but it will act as a physical barrier. Even clear material (glass, for example) will block UV light. You'd think that sun rays would try harder to get us after moving 18 million miles to reach earth, but the only way to absorb them is by direct contact. My advice is to use chicken wire- it is thin, cheap, plentiful, flexible and will do the job of protecting your enclosure. A chain-link fence will also do the job, but be heavier and allow for smaller debris to get through.

-Spike

[papoopeepoo]

You'd think that sun rays would try harder to get us after moving 18 million miles to reach earth, but the only way to absorb them is by direct contact.

-Spike

i'm glad it doesn't work much harder than it does. We may not be here if it did . Plus, UV gets thru to most anything naturally occurring. It is usually inorganic material that blocks the UV from reaching it's destination.

[wadd]

The screen material is the same as in window screens. I will try some small hole chicken wire.
For days like today in So cal 60 degrees and rainy should I have lighting set up for the outdoor pond?

[Spike 7.62]

You'd think that sun rays would try harder to get us after moving 18 million miles to reach earth, but the only way to absorb them is by direct contact.

-Spike

i'm glad it doesn't work much harder than it does. We may not be here if it did . Plus, UV gets thru to most anything naturally occurring. It is usually inorganic material that blocks the UV from reaching it's destination.

I was just joshing For the white blondes like me, any more UV would probably kill us.

But yes, the bigger the holes, the more light goes through unblocked. I believe chicken wire will do the job nicely. It will also look nicer than an almost solid screen of black.

-Spike

[wadd]

Do you think it's a good idea to have a heat lamp and UV lighting for days like today cloudy and cool?

[dixie8123]

well it occours naturally so i honestly think it wouldnt be a problem unless it is like really bad storms or something. But if any watches report for storms or osmething take him inside. But if it is just raining dont have any light 1. it is unnatural and 2. The bulb will explode or elecoroute teh turtle

[marisa]

I would have the lights on even on days when it was cloudy and cool outside (12 hours on, 12 hours off).

[coreyvht]

wouldnt it get wet and ......u might be able to go to home depot and find some water proof lights in that you can put your own bulbs in