Uv filters are nearly clear to the eye and might lower output less than
1%, but are probably part of the bulbs glass.

If you have 8, 4 ft 40 watt flourescent now and are not happy then you
might be fine, if you upshoot the light, you will likely only triple
output. Flourescent are not more efficient as someone stated. But go by
lumen output, figure out what your tubes are and you decide if you can
handle it. There is a temp -time rating for startup so look into that as
well.