Metal Halide bulb Question

[jkapit]

Hi,


I have a Hamilton Lighting Fixture with 250W Mogul based bulbs. I was under the impression that the mogul bulbs have a UV filter that is part of the bulb and thus have a plain glass lens on the fixture case.

Twin HQI bulbs do not and so would need a UV lens on the fixture.

My question is my buddy bought these bulbs for $10 a piece and says they work great. So it would cost me $30 a year for MH bulbs instead of about $180.

http://www.1000bulbs.com/product/8023/MHS-02502404.html

Although when reading the description it says the bulb is unprotected. I assume this implies UV unprotected although I may not understand the term.

My question is would anyone know if these bulbs are suitable for use with out a UV protected lens on the fixture.

Thanks for your help!

 

[JAustin]

Those bulbs are weak and for lack of a better word, garbage. Do some research on Plusrite. It works as a light bulb but not over a reef. Many have had the color shift after a month or two. Also the bulb output is going to be weak compared to a more expensive bulb. Not saying you can't use them to grow coral, they just suck at it.

 

[jonjonwells]

Barring the above comment.

Any glass will filter UV to an extent. The glass used in halide pendants is tempered glass. The tempering gives it the ability to better handle the heat from the lights.

This also applies to any mogul bulb. That outer protective glass will filter most of the UV.

 

[jkapit]

Thanks for your help!