... but note, as far as I can tell, the Sunblaster ones are the high-end exception. Most (decent) CFLs should give you 65+ lumens/watt, with max 'normal' efficiency of just over 70L/watt at the 23w-26w / 1600-1750 lumen mark. For some reason, Sunblaster is really able to pump 'em out, and has probably the best overall efficiency outside the actual High Intensity Discharge lamps (HPS and MH).

Physical temperature refers to the ambient temperature of the air in which the bulbs are operating... T8's are apparently quite happy in 75 degree farenheit air, and achieve whatever their maximum energy to light conversion at this point. T5ho's reach this point at 85f, iirc. I'm not sure about T12's, but they would probably be similar (if not cooler-operating) than the T8's.

Colour 'temperature' is different than physical temperature. If you look at a specral graph of the output of the various lights, they have a broad overall spectrum, but centre on a specific place in the visible light spectrum, and have a discernable colour, ranging from an 'orange-y' at the 2700k end, to 'mid-white-y' at the 3500-4100k points, to 'bright-blue-y-white-y' at the 6400/6500k end. Some aquarium bulbs boast colour temps of 10000k or higher, but I am still trying to find some real specs.

Prevailing wisdom either goes two ways on this subject: either get a balance of the colour temps in the box, to get a 'full' white on the subject, or lean towards 6500k/4100k for veg, and 2700k for flowering. I'm personally leaning to the former, and [hurrah!] just found my other two 45w 4100k big'uns! [Available at my local WM for only 15bux ea, or the non-smashy ones for 20!]

My livingroom garden now has 31,200 lumens coming to three plants spread across a 2-2.5 square foot space, so they should be getting 12,480lumens/square foot, perhaps more, with 12000 of the overall in the 4100k colour, and 9600 each in 2700k and 6500k. Overall lumens / watt is 31200/388, for an average of 80.41, which I can live with What sorta pisses me off is that my 600w HPS gets 90,000 lumens+, for an efficiency of 150 lumens/watt. The downside of this type of light is the HUGE amount of heat they throw off, which you have to get outside the garden somehow, or risk cooking your plants. My HPS is currently 20" from the closest plant, and about 24" from the farthest. My CFLs are currently 4" from my littleones, and they seem to be liking it a lot now...

Great thing about T8's (and common CFLs! Love those 65watters!) is that you can find 'em in ANY hardware store, and T8 ballasts, too. I understand that digital ballasts are now available--this is something I think I'd run with in your situation, if the cost weren't prohibitive...

No matter whether you choose linear or compact (spiral-y), get the most lumens-per-buck, and get 'em close to home...

More pictures to follow (as soon as my cameraphone starts working again!)...

Just my :twocents:

Some of my 'Fun Stuph'