light type question, and first time grow setup. advise me!

so I realized a couple days ago, that I'm tired of buying ganja, and turning that over to smoke the remainder for free. These days it's become much easier to get rid of the stuff than it is to get ahold of it.

Now that my girlfriends lives with me, I think I'm going to get out of that game, and just grow my own personal. Since my closet is compromised(gf), in addition to a decent college-budget setup, I'll have to make a light proof cab.


I'd only be growing 2-4 plants at a time, so I dont need a big area. I was thinking 4' high, 3' wide and 3 deep'? ish?

I've been doing tons of research on this site, and a few others, and I'm not as overwhelmed as I once was, and I've become quite inspired. I still have a question or so:

How much do fluorescents really suck? I mean, I hear they're OK, but thats about it. They're cheap, and thats very important to me. If I do go with em, can I find tubes in the 5500K and 2200K spectrum? 2ft, or 4ft?

CFLs? More expensive than fluorescents, worth the extra money? Any other input?

And last but not least, I was considering a dual MH and HPS combo. Pricey, but apparently the best. I don't really need the "best" right now, nor have the funds, but if you're gonna do something.. might as well do it right...

I'd really like to get a good fluorescent set up. Low maintence, cheap, low heat( I think?).

So, I'm ready to do this, someone give me a push in the right direction, por favor.

I like the idea of t5s for veg, and hps for bud.

would a 2" 2 bulb t5 set up be enough for 2-4 plants?

tiny room with hps = heat issues but it can be controlled for a price of corse you wont be able to grow much more than a foot tall total wich kinda sucks you should use a bigger room. my opinion

you mean a bigger cab? I was gonna go with 5'x3'x3'. Too small for just a few plants?

I'll cut a hole towards the top of the box for a fan, and I'll cut a vent(x2 45 degree angled tube) on the bottom for airflow. hot air rises, so that makes sense to me. though according to my girlfriend i dont have the best logic, but i usually dont understand half of what comes out of her mouth.


I dont think I will keep the cab in the closet. I'll cross that bridge when I get there

as far as t5's go you need atleast a two foot 4 bulb light...and thats slow enough but they work pretty darn good..but slow

so it might be cheaper (and better?) for me to just got with the 400wt HTG dual mh and hps setup?

High Tech Garden Supply

165 + shipping?

what size cab would I want for that, for only 2-4 plants?

i would defiantly have to do something with the heat though.


i promise I will make up my mind soonish

anyone on box dimensions?

I'm going to order that 400watt MH/HPS combo from HTGsupply in a couple weeks, so I figured I might as well get started on the box.

i believe i will take this to the newbie forum

if your going with that 400w setup get a hood for the light hat has venting flanges and a lense. That way you can duct a fan to the light and keep it cool as ice.