Question about refugium lighting...

Last year when I started my prop tank I bought a bulb from Home Depot, its basically a compact flourescent inside an outdoor floodlight housing. Some people called it a "Lights of America" bulb, but I am not sure if it was or not, my confusion on that subject is increased when I am reading posts which seem to indicate the LOA lights required a special fixture?

If they do, then I have something different.

Anyhoo, I try to replace all bulbs for the aquarium at 12 months and we are rapidly approaching that time. I also don't want to make a special trip to Home Depot, because it's a long trip for me. I was at Wal-Mart this past weekend and saw several similar LOOKING bulbs, but upon closer inspection, they were different wattages, and also had different output wavelengths.

So, anyone? What bulb wattage/wavelength should I be looking for?

I am assuming the CF bulb is a requirement because it puts off no heat. But what else do I need to know?

Thanks in advance.

I have 2 "Lights of America" bulbs over my fuge. They do not require special fixtures. Mine are just clip on sockets. Anything in the 6500K range would be fine. CF is the way to go. Incandescents put of WAYYYY too much heat. I wouldn't sweat it if they're not true "Lights of America" bulbs, anything in the general spectrum and wattage would be fine.

Melevsreef.com - Refugium Bulb (http://www.melevsreef.com/fuge_bulb.html)

This is another great article I found... he's using 5100 K bulbs

I'm using a 5600K CF plant bulb and it works fine for me.

Grrr, dislexya owns me. I meant 5600k, not 6500k, although 6500 would probably be OK too.

Yeah, I don't think that there would be too much difference. You wouldn't want the ones that are around 3000K.