CFL confusion

right im planning on buying a 250w maxibright lamp with the sunmate grow reflector, but i was wondering does the 250w mean the incandesant equivalent or its actual wattage????

http://www.greenshorticulture.co.uk/categories/CFL-Lights/CFL-Lamps/Maxibright-CFL-Lamps/

Those look like 250 actual watts.

thats what im hoping for

thats real watts. but if i were you i would get a large 100-150 watt for the top of the plant(s) then get a few 26 watt cfls to put around the sides. its better utilization of cfls. lights hitting it from all angles.

Definitely the actual wattage... i would do what ^^^ suggested. I'm currently using 200+ watts and my highest bulb is 42 w... each budsite has a bulb with in an inch of it. Results are turning out nicely at only 22 days flowering.

I agree with asd.

thanks very much guys helped alot, where would i go about buying some 26w cfl's?

Lowes or Amazon has good prices

cheers guys

Yes, any hardware or dept store should carry them, your best bet is to get a 2-4 pack of them, usually around 10 bucks. Also, look into y splitters, they are a must have for lower wattage cfls (http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-128-I-Light-Socket-Adapter/dp/B001ATG0JU/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1322781686&sr=8-3)

its actually 250 , id avoid amazon for cfl's the main dealer on there is greenlamp and they dont use discreet packaging. only found this out when the postman delivered me 4 cfl in boxes with bulb info all over them

I like using amazon because you dont have to pay tax or shipping. Most people use CFL'S all over there house so I am not sure why discreet packaging would be an issue but I can see why some people may think it it would be.