Well designed lightng system

[farmfrags]

I see a lot of systems without some form of UV protection. This system seems no different.

Is this a conscious choice or not considered necessary?

 

[Unarce]

It's necessary to have a UV shield for double-end bulbs. Single-end bulbs are already encased in a large glass tube, so a shield would only cut down the light.

 

[Len]

Yep, it's generally accepted that double ended halide bulbs need a shield while single ended halides do not. I've read some contrary information to support that even DEs don't put out enough UV to be of concern, but I'd do it just to be safe. Fluorescent bulbs do not need any shielding.

So I guess the answer is, it depends on your choice of bulbs

 

[farmfrags]

I have had UV protection glass crack from water splashes from the fish/tank. I can only imagine what would have happened if I did not use a glass shield and that water had hit an unprotected MH lamp.