with the current cost of CFLs, and their short life span, they are a waste of money in anything other than a micro grow. You want at a minimum, 23 watt CFLS and better to use 40 watt or more bulbs ( actual power draw ) You can a 300 watt LED for less than $100 U.S. or a 180 watt UFO style for $80 or less. When you add up the CFL costs, light fixtures, and or a reflector, having to mess with raising/lowering your lights almost every day, they don't seem like such a bargain IMO