Clear tubing around PC bulb?

[baloo6969]

Hey DIYers...
I need to take a PC 21 inch bulb, (think it's 96 or 65 watts)...anyway,
I want to put a clear tube around it...without risking melting or deforming the plastic.
It cant be over 4inchs Outside diameter.
I was thinking Acrylic was a bad choice...but where the tube is connecting to is acrylic.
Which leads me to my next issue, whatever tube i use, needs to be able to bond to acrylic...
What do you guys think?
-Chris

 

[scsinet]

I'm not sure if you are going to use something other than acrylic what you would use... besides maybe glass.
Does the tube have to be air-tight? If not, maybe you could drill some holes somewhere for ventilation?

 

[baloo6969]

it has to be air tight...
i was actualy thinking about some "duct work" attaching a fan, with a pipe going to the bottom of the tube blowing air down. to cool the tube.
IF it was something 'other' than acrylic, how would i attach it to the existing acrylic?
The tube would be near water...the cooler the better...

 

[baloo6969]

Cast acrylic? it's rated at 200degF

 

[scsinet]

At 200 degrees, you'd probably be okay, but I can't be sure. You'd almost have to try it and see.

 

[reefraff]

Heat kills fluorescent lamps so make sure you do something to cool it or the output and life will be pathetic.