I found a couple dirt cheap 400w Halogens at the grocery store...(Tiny little thing for a spotlight. Tube-type, about 3-4 inches long.)

CFLs lack in the red spectrum, that's why they don't work for flowering... Right?
Or is it the poor light quality (penetration)
Well Halogens output in the red spectrum, gradually decreasing down to nearly no green. I know they get hot... but I was only going to use one with a couple 42W CFLs during flowering. (And remove 2 other CFLs.)I've read all the arguments against using Halogens. These are the ones I've heard:
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Q: Do halogen bulbs have a good spectral output for plant growth?
A: No, the spectral plot output of various halogen bulb types is by far the worst.
Q: Are they efficient at generating useful light for plant growth?
A: No, the best floro/hps/mh lighting each being approx 5X more efficient at plant growth than halogen.People usually choose halogen for the "low startup" costs of a halogen light. The real costs of halogens result from its low efficiency. 500 Watt halogen lighting produces about 0.08 Watt/s/nm in the green-yellow spectral region which is about the same as 80 watts of cfl's. A 500w halogen grow will cost approx $63 for electricity, whereas a more efficient light source generates the same par value for around $10 (depending on your local prices).
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So... Basically he's saying that it's not a very good idea because it doesn't have any Green and Yellow wavelengths, and it's expensive in the long run due to heat production and high electricity usage. (He's comparing it to "sunlight")Isn't a strong red source good for flowering if used as a supplement to CFLs?Here are the stats of the bulb- note, there is also a 3200k version-
Energy Used: 400W
Volts: 120V
Type: T3-1/8
Base: R7s
Length: 3.15"
Diameter: 0.40
Light Output: 5500 lumens
Average Lifetime: 2000 hours
Color: 2850K
Beam Angle: Filament: C-8
If no one has tried halogens WITH CFLs, then I'll be glad to try it and post my findings...

CFL105-D

• Volts: 120V
• Watts: 105W
• Color Temp: 6400K (Day Light)
• Type: Spiral High Output Fluorescent
• Base: Medium Screw Base
• Life Hours: 8,000
• Length: 11 "
• Avg. Lumens: 6670

CFL105-D, 105w, Energy Saving Lamp - Norman Lamps, Inc.


High Output Spiral Fluorescent, SHO Spiral Fluorescent, High Output Spiral Fluorescent Bulb

Well the main thing that caught my interest on the halogen was the 2850 k color temperature, which I assume, would be good for flowering...




Everyone says that CFLs don't flower very well, so I was looking for an alternative to HIDs.

If your running a space heater in the winter, you can replace it with halogens, plug the lights into your thermostat.

They do kick out LOTS of RED.

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http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/hi-dez-perpet-9020/

So if I can keep the heat under control, they should do a pretty good job right?

Also, should I supplement them with red wavelengths (to encourage budding) or a very weak Blacklight bulb to increase potency once buds form?

That link above had some other hi-power cfls in different color ranges too

They're only good for heat, if you need heat you my as well have the lumens too.

Not good for primary lighting though.
Any bulb that contains a filament is not what you want.

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The bus makes it's rounds.
http://www.greenpassion.org/f24/hi-dez-perpet-9020/