Ecotype can be defined as a physiologically induced variation initiated by long term occupation within a definable ecological community but one that is not genetically distinct from other members of the species that occur in other ecological communities. Such variations may not be significant enough to warrant taxonomic recognition. Among these variations may be the amount of pubescence on the stems, internode spacing, and even the amount of occurrence of stomates. Whatever the variation is it can be related to some significant environmental stress in the habitat.

Don't tile over that. That area has problems. All the tile work should be done first before any hardwood is installed.

A custom made hardwood ramp transition would be ideal. See this thread and the post by jim mcclain for a visual. Make this transition piece easily visible for safety. http://www.thefloorpro.com/community/hardwood-and-laminates-q-and-a/6614-floating-laminate-hardwood-transition-2-height.html# Trip/fall hazards are very real. People brake bones all the time from ground level I see it at work almost every day (hospital). Nothing routine about an ER trip and possible surgery. The problem with height transitions is when your foot falls you expect the floor or stair to be in a certain spot and when it is not a fall can happen. This is an example why stair code requires height difference between treads cannot deviate +/- 3/8" from each other.

3000K (anything in the 2700K-3000K range) is usually described as "warm white" and has a yellower look to it, more like old-timey incandescent bulbs. 6500K is usually described as "daylight" and has a bluer look to it. In between is 4000K or 4100K "cool white." These are bluer than the "warm white" but not as blue as the "daylight". "Cool white" is the traditional fluorescent color that has been around for decades. For grow light applications, there's marginally more blue in the 6500K spectrum and marginally more red in the 3000K "warm white" spectrum. Almost all fluorescent tubes are "full spectrum" and contain a lot of visible light that isn't really needed/used by plants, and not so much of the specific colors/wavelengths that are absorbed by chlorophyll and used by plants. Specific wavelengths in the blue band promote green foliage growth, and specific wavelengths in the red band promote blooming. If the technology, brand, wattage and size are the same, the color temperature should not affect price for fluorescent lamps/bulbs. Are there any other differences that might explain the price difference?