Bulbs touching?

[sixteengallon]

My friend rigged up a normal output 18" flourescent fixture so that two 15 watt bulbs could be mounted in it. He kept all of the electrical parts from both fixtures and put it into one fixture (wiring is the same as before). The only thing that bothers me about it is that the bulbs actually touch eachother and they get pretty hot.

Is this a fire waiting to happen?

[BeanAnimal]

Most likely not.... but a significant portion of the light from each bulb is wasted as it directly radiates into the bulb beside it. More is wasted as the light that is emitted from the top of the bulb can not be reflected back down into the water and is shadowed by the neighboring bulb.

[sixteengallon]

good point