Decent Setup?

Hi, this is my first complete grow and my first except for learning from my friend. Here's what I'm working with: I have a 250 MH ligh and a 150 light without a hood/hoods, four-sides of white sheets and a white floor with a regular far pointed down from above. My questions are: is it acceptable to not have a hood? What should I put in my soil?- I have hyponex by itself for germinated seeds in dixie cups now. Should I mix in some perlite and if so how much? If I want to switch soils, should I during transplant?- or is the shock not worth it? Oh, and any guidence on a way to make a cheap hood would be awesome. It's a lot- any help will be much obliged.

do a google search for DIY growlight hoods...you will find something that will work for what you have. I add a cup of perlite to everything gallon of soil i'm going to use....some people add more some people add less...its all taste...i would add some, its never a bad thing. you can grow without a hood just most of the time its not near as efficent. i change soils type when i transplant...sometimes its a shock if its a sensitive plant....so...its up to you!