Getting Started Small Questions.

I have been on this site for 7 months now. Started out asking a million questions, then began some in-depth research. I'm only looking to grow a few small plants, probably autos since they tend to top out at 2ft. I am not looking for anything more than to supply myself and my girlfriend.
The box I am planning on building will be 2'x2'x(3'-4'). I would like to use a 150w HPS for such a small grow, but I would like to use a cool tube to lessen my worries about heat. I have no idea about how hot a bulb that small will get in a box that sized. If heat is not an issue when properly ventilated I will go with HPS, if it is too much trouble I will just go with fewer plants and just use CFL's. I understand the drawbacks to using CFL's, but I am not looking to sell or get pictures published in SKUNK or HighTimes lol.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
I have looked at the "Mini Cool Cab" "Mini Cool Caddy" "Cool Caddy" "Mini-File" "Super File" love them all, but I am not about to spend that much on a system I can build myself for WAY LESS! I have also looked into the grow tents availible online. The full system kits are a bit more reasonlably priced, but most are too big for what I am looking for either height or wattage wise.
Does anyone know of a stealthy, premade, decently priced setup for a personal grow. I know a bit about the PC case grows, but I think those will be too small. If I did go with the PC case grow, I think I would have to double up and that would cost me just as much as buying the mini cool cab probably.
Please help.. any information, suggestions, or comments would be greatly appreciated.

It sounds like you have the right idea! It's always nice when someone does thier "homework" first!

"Build it or buy it?"
My philosophy is, "If I am capable of doing it myself - I'll try anything once!". Why pay someone else 2 or 3 times the money, to have all the fun?

"150 watt HPS?"
My philosophy is, "Never underestimate, or go cheap, on lighting!". That means:
1. Never go with "the bare minimum"!
2. Use whatever light that will give you the best results and just "Deal" with any problems that may arise (heat/ventilation).
3. For a 4 sq. ft. area, use a 250 watt "Ceramic Metal Halide" (works in a HPS Ballast). You'll thank me later!

T.H.Cammo said:

It sounds like you have the right idea! It's always nice when someone does thier "homework" first!

"Build it or buy it?"
My philosophy is, "If I am capable of doing it myself - I'll try anything once!". Why pay someone else 2 or 3 times the money, to have all the fun?

"150 watt HPS?"
My philosophy is, "Never underestimate, or go cheap, on lighting!". That means:
1. Never go with "the bare minimum"!
2. Use whatever light that will give you the best results and just "Deal" with any problems that may arise (heat/ventilation).
3. For a 4 sq. ft. area, use a 250 watt "Ceramic Metal Halide" (works in a HPS Ballast). You'll thank me later!

Click to expand...

I'm too damn cheap to go out all Willy-Nilly and buy some exspensive setup I don't know how to run. I built myself a small clone or starter chamber with a few CFL's in there and an old bathroom fan for exhaust. I could probably grow something 12/12 in there if I LST the crap out of it. Ive only have about 7" of actual grow space with the container i was looking to use. \
Thanx for the information. I'm wondering if you could answer another for me... What sized box should I build if i wanted to use a 150w HPS to its best potential? 150w is probably as high as want to go, so maybe I should just fashion my box around the light lol.

So my father, who was recently disabled in a person vs truck accident, talked to his doctor about getting his medical marijuana card. He wants the marijuana rather than taking pain pills for the rest of his life.
Now that he is going to name me as his caregiver I do not have to worry about size as much, now it is a matter of being efficient.
I CANNOT WAIT TO GET STARTED!!