UVA and UVB light safe?

[H]-[H]

I just bought a 18w T6 LED light from my local lfs to replace my previous T5 lamp that has burned out..
It was the only white light available and I did not read the fine print on the box..
Apparently, it contains UVA and UVB rays.. The light is hung on top of my tank and the tank has no lid so the light is basically exposed..
Is the light harmful to the fish in the tank(cichlid) and also to humans in the long run?
In the tank itself is a side filter containing K1 media.. Will the beneficial bacteria be affected by the UVA and UVB rays?
Please advise, thanks in advance..


PS: This is the light mentioned

 

[duanes]

Before I moved to Panama one of my next experiments was to try using UV to mimic the tropical sun for a predetermined time, (say 4 hours per day (the 11AM to 3PM, the intense norm here in the tropics)).
But also use plants and floating logs to provide the natural cover for fish to escape direct exposure if necessary, just as they do in nature.
I believe in natural settings the intense UV helps prevent the build up of pathogens, so might be useful in the same manner in a tank.

 

[H]-[H]

But is the exposure from the light in the room harmful to humans?
The last thing I need in life is skin cancer..

 

[Fish Tank Travis]

Based on the golden and red arowana that are one the package pictured above, it looks like you might have bought a light meant to “tan” the fish. Are you sure it’s not that kind of light?

Is building a canopy over the top an option? That would make it so the light had to travel through the tank glass, which I’m pretty sure blocks the UV rays, before it gets to any people.

 

[DN328]

Based on the golden and red arowana that are one the package pictured above, it looks like you might have bought a light meant to “tan” the fish. Are you sure it’s not that kind of light?

Is building a canopy over the top an option? That would make it so the light had to travel through the tank glass, which I’m pretty sure blocks the UV rays, before it gets to any people.

Good call, that is for tanning as it can be submersed. I suppose that's good to know and minimizes the risks. I've not had the opportunity to have an aro that requires tanning so dont know the long tern effects of using the light based on how OP is going to have it on.

 

[H]-[H]

Are tanning lights more expensive than normal ones?
I was just looking for white lights and this happens to be the only one in the store.. The other lights were pink, blue and red which isn't to my taste..

A canopy isn't really an option for me but I have a light cover from the lid that came with the tank.. something like this:

(the bottom part)

By the way, UV rays can't pass through glass/plastic?

 

[Deadliestviper7]

Are tanning lights more expensive than normal ones?
I was just looking for white lights and this happens to be the only one in the store.. The other lights were pink, blue and red which isn't to my taste..

A canopy isn't really an option for me but I have a light cover from the lid that came with the tank.. something like this:

(the bottom part)

By the way, UV rays can't pass through glass/plastic?

UV rays can't pass thru most glass unless u speciificly buy UV permeable glass, it isn't going to give you or your fish cancer.