umm, no, but some bulbs ...will... burn your corals and inverts...
"These short articles have shown that all the lamps we tested produced UV radiation. Metal halide lamps’ outer glass envelopes only weaken UV; they do not eliminate it. The actual amount of UV produced by a metal halide lamp depends upon many factors such as lamp wattage, lamp orientation and arc tube construction (universal burn position versus bottom up or bottom down). Profound differences can exist between “identical” lamps. More importantly, the shape (along with the type of reflective surface) can focus UV energy into “hot spots” where the UV energy exceeds that found in nature. Even higher UV energy is produced during lamp strike and water surface waves can further focus this radiation. Seemingly small differences (such as lamp height) can also have a major impact upon the amount of UV entering an aquarium. With so many variables involved, it is difficult, if not impossible, to know how much UV is being produced without actually making measurements.
We have seen that UV radiation has the potential to damage corals and other coral reef inhabitants. Many reef animals can produce natural sunscreens (MAA’s) to protect themselves against UV but MAA concentrations are possibly a response to the amount of UV to which they are subjected. This is an important point since UV production among all tested lamps was not consistent and can change dramatically during normal operation or when the lamp is changed.
Our experiences suggest that coral coloration is a response to PAR levels, not UV. In short, we find no reason to subject reef aquaria to high UV levels.
Shielding Aquarium Lamps
Hobbyists may think their aquaria are doing fine under unshielded lamps. We suggest that they can do even better by removing UV radiation. We’ve checked many “plastics” and Table Five lists the transmission properties. "
link on request...
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