The 23 watt CFL puts out about 1600 lumen were as the 60 watt puts out about 650 lumens. The 60 watt bulb puts out 60 watts of heat where about 1 watt of that heat is radiated in the visible light spectrum. The CFL puts out 23 watts of heat where about 3 watts are in the visible light spectrum. If you need heat more that visible light then the 60 wins, but if you need light and at the blue end of the spectrum the CFL beats the pants off the 60 watt incandescent grow lamp. In almost any application the CFL wins by a long shot
Click on any picture to open my photo albums to see all

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4 ft by 4 ftby 3.5 ft with 12 CFL's at 13 watts each containing peppers in 5 gallon buckets.

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single 13 watt 6500 K CFL in bucket that tree fits into.

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Broccoli plant under 8 CFL bulbs providing heat for the tree's root and light for the broccoli, If 60 wat grow lights had been used the plant would scorch before they would get enough light to grow well.

The link below gives acces to the light grown starts go

Here is a link that might be useful: http://s1094.photobucket.com/user/wreristhechimney/library/five-four-thirteen

Thank you so much for taking the time to explain!!! Plus I loved seeing your pictures, they gave me some great ideas!! I knew the 23 cfl was better but I couldn't find the info on the Internet to explain to mom why it was more efficient. This will be perfect for showing her why she is wasting her money buying those 60 watt (grow bulbs) at Walmart!! I really appreciate you taking your time!! I loved how you have broccoli growing!