Where to put 16 cfl's

Background: I've been reading around and I haven't seen this question posed yet. I plan on using two bathroom vanity lights that have 4 bulb sockets each in a box that is 3'x2'. I plan on putting a 'Y' splitter for each so I have a total of 16 bulbs in this six square foot box.
Question: Should I place both strips (16 total light bulbs) above the plants? Or put one strip on top and have one strip on the side of the plants and rotate the plants every day or two so that I'm getting light from the side and from the top? I see the drawback to this method as some plants won't be close to the light for a period of time whereas if I had both strips on top I would be able to get a lot of lumens very close to all the plants. However if I place 8 bulbs to the side I would be able to expose more of the plant to more light. Thanks.

"Where to put 16 CFL's?" Since I hate CFL's you really wouldn't like me to tell you where to put them!

HA! That was funny. Not helpful. But funny.

Anyone that does not like CFLs has not used them. They are great for vegging. I would put one on top and one on the sides and rotate. I have 10 23w (100w equivalents) in single sockets in a 3.5X4.5X4 ft grow box. I have 6 on top and 4 on the sides and my plants are very happy.

How many plants are you growing? I'm going for 4. Are switching out the bulbs for vegging and flowering? Thanks.

Bubba Kushman said:

Anyone that does not like CFLs has not used them. They are great for vegging. I would put one on top and one on the sides and rotate. I have 10 23w (100w equivalents) in single sockets in a 3.5X4.5X4 ft grow box. I have 6 on top and 4 on the sides and my plants are very happy.

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No I have never used CFL’s but I know people who do and like you they use a number of them and they do not outperform my MH for vegging. My plants grow faster and thicker than my CFL growing pals plants so I see no reason to fix something that isn’t broken and switch to CFL’s.

Now if someone is growing in a box where heat would be a major issue and if they could not spring for a Cool Tube and the needed ventilation system to go with it I can understand why someone would use CFL’s but I cannot see why someone would if they had any other option.

I'm growing with CFL's because the Mrs won't let me buy anything more expensive. Maybe if this goes well I can splurge later on some proper lighting.