Hello-

I've spent some time looking for an appropriate light. I'm trying to find one that will fill a 2' x 1' area with a high lumen count. Enough for one or two plants under a foot in height. I want to be able to grow anything that is grown under full sun. Also want to be able to do this for around $100, if possible. Not sure how many lumens I would need. I've read that full daylight is at 10k-25k lux. So around 3.2k lumens per sq ft.. Or would I need more to factor in direct sunlight?

Few choices I have found:

1) 2 ft light fixture from Amazon ($23) which holds two 24" 34 watt to 40watt bulbs. Could get AgroSun Fluorescent lamps 2 pack for $30 (or other bulbs?) Not sure how much light I would get.

2) 40W 5000K CFL with reflector at 2650 lumens (don't think this would be high enough?), $37 from LittleGreenHouse

3) 105W 5000K CFL with reflector at 6200 lumens ($85), also from LittleGreenHouse

I'm somewhere between choice 1 and 3. Electricity used is not a problem; however, I don't want the bulb to heat up my room.

I've looked at some MH ballasts (bit expensive of course), but I would also need to get a reflector for these. I'm lost on what type of combination to make.

Any pointers are much appreciated!