I think he's talking the ballasted bulbs? 2 to 4 footers?
If so, those WILL work, but are more limited than the Bulb shaped CFLs.

You can spend a chunk of change and get the high output T5 fluro bulbs (light sticks) and get a good amount of lumens, but you'll still be limited to mounting. With CFL's you can move the bulb inside the plants grow space if needed.