Found POSSIBLE 500w light in my basement

I forgot I had it, but I found a 500 watt infrared lamp in my basement. It has 2 lamps each rated at 250 watts.

Is it possible to use any other type of bulb in these lamps or does it have to be specifically infrared bulbs?

Thanks

http://www.ehow.com/about_6744341_effect-infrared-light-plant-growth.html .....but still not sure what you mean ......could you stick 2 250 hps bulbs instead?.....probably not ...photos might help?

There should be a lable somewhere rating the lamp, what's tha say? Voltage, amperage, socket type...

Here are some pics

the only other lamp u could put in there are cfl's or incandescent's. for any fixture to be capable of firing an hid lamp it requires a ballast, a capacitor.... and in hps's a starter. if the fixture isnt originally manufactured to house these items then dont add them cause they will create excessive heat that the fixture isnt rated for. be safe and use the proper equipment.

I have found some 250W CFLs (Rated at 250W actual - equivalent to 750W incandescent) in the 2700k and 6500k. Would these work?

So since I found this unit...I was now contemplating this.. building a wardrobe grow box (7 ft tall) and have 2 separate chambers. Have the veg chamber about 2.5ft and the flowering chamber 4.5ft.

Veg chamber
I already have 8x 26W CFL's and 2x 2ft T5 24w lights = 256 Watts

Flowering chamber
I can use 2x 250W CFL bulbs = 500 watts

Will my veg chamber have enough light?
Would it be beneficial to use 2 x 2700k 250watt or use 1 x 2700k & 1 x 6400k 250watt for flowering?
What kind of results will this give me?
At 4ft, how many sq ft will 1 plant require?

Thanks guys!

Flowering is when the most power is required.

That look like one of those lights that keeps food warm on a buffet line

That's what it is. I hope there isnt an issue putting CFL bulbs in..

What size are those sockets? Regular Medium Edison, or Mogul base? If the latter, you will likely need an adapter.