How hot can CF bulbs get?

[ChicoRaton]

I bought a ballast and two 55 CF bulbs, and installed them into my strip light that originally held 1 48" NO fluorescent bulb. The buls and ballast both seem to be getting very hot. you can touch them, but not for long. only a couple seconds. How hot can they get without damage?

Also, it raises my wter temp about 2-3 degrees over the course of the day from 79 to 81-82.

Is this ok, or should I mount a fan in the strip light?

Thanks

 

[MyShrimpDied]

I use two 28 watt CF 5000k bulbs and they get pretty hot, so hot that I can't tough them without burning my hands. I have a glass cover in between the water surface and the bulbs and it doesn't raise the temp unless the glass is toughing the water surface. Does your hood have the glass cover? I fan would work well if you can do it. It's kinda' a 'Why Not!' Situation.

~ MyShrimpDied