Hey, oldmac, thanks for sttoping by here.

I cant agree more whit your post. Ive used CFLs (twin T5s) plus red leds on my main cab. Until now, its been by far the best compromise of price/perfomance. It avoid any spectral lacking and its an excelent way of growing SOG or SCROG style.

But last CREE whites are pretty efficients, and their spectra is decent, similar to halophosphor fluorescents. With some far red emision too. With efficiencies over 90 lm/w at 350mA they offer more light per watt burned than any fluorescent. But price is still higher for just an small perfomance enhancement. But at least its possible to use them together with reds and blues (or just reds).

I wonder why you mounted the octagon inside the cooltube. I think it would be better to mount the exhaust directly to the octagon and aircool it form inside (if the diameter is large enough, add some aluminium sheets inside to improve cooling perfomance) and remove the glass which is blocking at least 10% of the light.