Last minute questions before I dive in

Hello all,

Just a newbie, got a few questions some of the gurus might be able to help me with.

Firstly though my plan...
1) A wardrobe set up. 100% concealed, 100% contained (as in the whole show I want inside the wardrobe)... the permission slip I have from the missus clearly states those 2 criteria
2) Have access to some local knowledge and skills on electrical and another who is a great grower so I can install all electrcial components safely, my grower mate can also help me with nutrient knowledge and has some northern lights cuttings to get me going.
3) Mate reakons a 600 watt HPS is all the rage for what I want to do.

So just a brief run down of my idea, I would like to think that I can make a good go at this I just have a couple of questions I need sorted before I get into it... They are:
1) Part of this wardrobe I want to set up for cloning so what height would I need to have this compartment in order to let them grow to a point where I can put them in the main growing area of the wardrobe?What is the latest time you can take cuttings? The plan was to have a main grow area (just big enough for 4 ladies to maturity) and another cloning/drying area as well, just need to know what floor area I would need for 4 ladies as well.
2) I live in a fucking hot part of Australia and the best way I have to cool this wardrobe down is via a portable air conditioning unit. Does anyone have any experience in portables? I hear they are unreliable... True? Also, do I require fresh air intake for the portable? I was thinking of running the portable when the main lights are on then switching to an intake/exhaust set up when the lights are off... I told this to my sparky mate and he rolled his eyes because he will have to wire it all up... If I can pull it off I am sure he will forgive me once he has tasted the end product. Anyone have a similiar set up?

Anyway guys, just a few questions before I head out and get my supplies... will also be doing a grow journal when I get up and running... Stay tuned.

Cheers

May wanna give some attention to ventilation, especially with a 600w bulb. What fixture are you using? Cooltube? How big is the wardrobe? You want 1 square foot per plant minimum.

Ventilation is my main concern... well heat, humidity, ventilation... I guess all are inter related. Thats why I was thinking portable air conditioner for the heat and humidity, I'm just not sure on the fresh air/exhaust options thats all. If I am going to fresh air/exhaust won't that make the potable air conditioner redundant because don't air cons work by removing heat from a set capacity of air? By the time the air con cooled air it would get sucked out the exhaust... Any refrigeration mechanics out there???

As for light, my sparky mate is getting that organised... He knows what he is doing so I will leave that up to him.

Wardrobe size - Don't know, will be going around having a look shortly, as I said, all in the planning phase at the moment, just wanting to bounce ideas off a few of you.

Will keep you updated when I start piecing it all together.

Cheers

Get the biggest damn wardrobe you can find! The bigger, the easier it will be to keep the temps controlled.