New to lasers

Hello,
I'd like to start by saying thanks to everyone's post on this forum as it has been a great resource to me in my first laser build. Since the creation of my unknown strength laser I have become terrified of it. I had built a laser with a 9mm 445nm diode driven by as 2.2amp driver in a S4 host with a single element lens. I'm guessing it is in the upper 2watt range. Now I know your reading this and saying why did this guy start off with such a high powered laser. Well, here's the answer my reef aquarium. It all started because I had seen some videos of guys killing aptasias (an aquarium pest) with lasers. So I did my home work and bought a pair of OD4+ eagle pair safety glasses and started zapping away. It works great and is very cool however, I've become concerned about eye damage. So here it goes I have a few questions for you. 1) Can burning with the laser mentioned above while wearing the eagle pair glasses result in eye damage when staring at the dot at relative close range for a minute or less?
2) Is it ever safe to look at the beam of this laser in the night sky with no eye protection?
I realize this is a lot of laser and i think I'm getting paranoid that I'm damaging my eyes even with decent glasses.

Hi I bet your 445 is well over
2w.
I used to keep reef with live rock before handheld lasers were really up to any sort of job like that and Aptasia was a pain in the arse and we dug them out with a screwdriver.
I often look at a sideways beam at night but never a strong reflection. difficult for me to answer with the fish tank thing because there is a lot of reflecting stuff in there. I assume you have some white coral sand and that white buffering rock.

I feel like my eyes are a little stressed after a aptasia laser war. You have to look at the dot to hold it in place to kill the buggers. I guess I just want to be sure I'm not taking a chance on my eyes. I do notice that shooting through the glass that it can reflect a dot back.

lazypower said:

I feel like my eyes are a little stressed after a aptasia laser war. You have to look at the dot to hold it in place to kill the buggers. I guess I just want to be sure I'm not taking a chance on my eyes. I do notice that shooting through the glass that it can reflect a dot back.

Click to expand...

I would get the absolutely highest rated goggles for 445 nm you can find. should only see just a dim but clear dot .they should seem to cut out ALL glare.
you want some eyes left to look at your beautiful reef.

Any recommendation?

if your goggles are od4+ they should be good enough.
no harm in getting od5 if you're worried they are too weak
Thorlabs - Certified Laser Safety Glasses
there is a lot of goggle info here

US Medical Safety Glasses Laser Goggles OD 7 190 514 EG | eBay
Would you trust these?

there is a group buy where the best laser goggles on the market are for sale... you can have a 10w laser with these if you want

if 10 people buy them they become a lot more affordable ... not sure if you need them but they are probably the best
http://laserpointerforums.com/f55/uvex-laser-goggles-83464.html

also the beam cant hurt you... but the crazy refletions in the tank certainly can

also i have never used those ebay goggles you have shown so idk

these are good i hear https://www.oemlasersystems.com/pro...ion/visible/arg-blu-ray-argon-blue-ktp-detail

Thanks, I think I'm getting a pair. With these glasses would it be safe even with tank reflection?

lazypower said:

Thanks, I think I'm getting a pair. With these glasses would it be safe even with tank reflection?

Click to expand...

which pair that i listed?

lazypower said:

US Medical Safety Glasses Laser Goggles OD 7 190 514 EG | eBay
Would you trust these?

Click to expand...

I suppose I would. Claiming od7 but How can you tell till you get them.

If you feel like you're squinting or your eyes are straining, then your goggles probably aren't doing their job.

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure in most cases it's absolutely fine to look at a laser beam.

Well I feel that a laser's beam should be alright to see without any protection, but do be careful and not look at reflections or where the laser hits, without your safety goggles on. Have fun with them though!

firelaser said:

which pair that i listed?

Click to expand...

Yes, thanks again for your recomendation.

I think I'll keep this laser in my safety glasses only pile. I'll probably buy a 532 50mw for pointing around with out protection.