Nice journal.
You can get a nice digital ballast thats dimmable that can use MH or HPS bulbs. They are nice, I got a 400 that goes 250-250super lumen-400-400SuperLumen.The Sl is just a bit more wattage pushed through the bulb. My air cool hood would fit perfectly in that enclosure
Costly, but worth the upgrade from CFL's, that's where I started too. Get the bulb for the power you are going to use, so a 250 watt bulb for 250 setting, the spectrum is changed when you turn a 400watt bulb down to 250 watts. You'll be golden and rolling in buds
Fat tight sticky buds.
I was going to buy an LED, but the techs not there yet, $600 for a 2.5x.2.5 coverage area for flowering is a BS, bullshit or a bit small you decide
Good grow! Healthy plants! well done. You did great work for a first timer that's really good. Look into organics
ease of growth is insane.