First Grow: Need Suggestions

Hello, I'm going to start my first grow in a few weeks and needed some suggestions.

First off, I'll be using a 250w hps in a homebox xs tent that is 1.9x1.9x3.9ft and a 10 gallon sterilite tub with 4 or 5 3" net pots. I'll be running 2 air pumps with 12" and 6" airstones.

I will be growing lowryder 2's from seed to harvest directly under the 250w hps using the wicking method to deliver the water to the seedlings to start. My wicks will be 6-8" long pieces of 1" wide cotton t-shirts and I will lay part of the t-shirt on the bottom of the net pot and cover that portion with a layer of hydroton, then run the t-shirt up the side of the net pot and over the hydroton. I will then set the rockwool cube on top of everything. Will my method work? Suggestions?

Also my second question is I want to prevent light from entering the res, so when is a good time to place the "covers" over the net pots to block out light so algae doesn't grow on my rockwool? Should I wait till the little seedling pops up out of the rockwool or just cut a big enough hole in the cover and place it directly over once my rockwool is in the net pot?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Also, what are the water pumps called that will allow me to pump the water from my res into a bucket when it comes time to change the solution. Thanks.

if your going 250 in a homebox xs I hope you vent well.

I cover after a sprout.

and the pump you want is called an inline pump.