175w Mh vs 125w fullspectrum CFL

ok my elcheapo 70w MH from lowes stopped working so am trying to upgrade within a budget of less than 150 shipped. I have a real small grow cab so i dont really need the 250w-400w monsters everyone prefers.

Plan is to replace the 70w hps and mh with one light, trying to decide between two. The 125w(8750 lumens) CFL is a full spectrum greenhouse light for $100, and the 175w(14k lumens) MH is your typical outdoor wall light for $125. The bulbs life expectancy is 8000hrs for cfl, and 10000 for Mh. Replacement Cfl bulbs cost about double that of the mh as well.

heres the existing gro cab specs, 2'x2'x5' cab, 4-6 plants in dwc tub approx 1' off floor, light hangs down less than 1' leaving 2-3 feet to grow in, plan is to move to flowerbox around 2'. Existing setup has 2 -4tube, 48" flourescent fixtures, each standing on end on opposite walls, above is the 70 watt Mh beside a 70w HPS. I have added on bit by bit thats why i mixed the small wattage homecenter lights. Had tried to gro single plants with one 70w Mh and flower with one 70hps, along with the flourescents. That didnt work so well and have more plants going so i already have a new 150w HPS for flowering. When i get the new light, the 70 hps will be added along with 150wHps in flower box same SF but 80" tall.

I realize the MH is more bang for buck, the question is how much better given the small space and number of plants. The CFL will give me less heat issues so thats why i was wondering if it would be good enough. Seems the MH may be too much too close to my plants.

Everything i have learned here leads me to think for the same $$ go for the MH, but was wondering if the CFL would have its advantages.

Anyone want to chime in, or have a similar setup and can shed some light on which is best choice.

menards, lowes, and home depot have big cfl's for under $40 a piece get a couple and a vanity fixture 3 or 4 bulb and screw them in and you don't have to pay shipping just go get them

i have a setup with a t5 and 4 cfl 42w that i just added in. my area is about 2 x 3 x 6 so similar. i have a 2' t5 fixture with 4 bulbs that puts out about 9k lumens plus my other 4 cfl's being about 2700lumens a peice up near about 20k i probably spent about 200 on light for my little area but the plants are look b e a utiful. check out some t5 fixures. pricey but showing good results for a good cfl fixture

I'm currently using a 150w MH for fish tanks and things are vegging great! The seller has 6700k bulbs that he includes for free.

150W Metal Halide Pendant Lights

Comes with a digital ballast too and absolutely silent.

Here's a pic of my setup:

http://i49.tinypic.com/20zqumq.jpg

hey guys thanks for the input, i guess i was specifically lookin for comparison between the two i listed, but doesnt much matter anymore. I caught a 175watt MH on clearance for under $60 bulb $ shipping included, so thats what i am gonna use. Should be a big boost to the gro chamber.

Ya man MH is way better. It is also hotter. I started out with fluros and cfl's, then I bought a 250 MH and the difference was night and day. I didnt catch the name but whoever it was that had the pic of the grow tent with the t5's and cfl's....I was just wondering if youve finished a grow yet, and what the quality and time was on it??