Too be honest dude, auto's are fun and all, but they need lots of light for good results, more than 6 or 7 cfls can supply. Koda is right 250 watt HID is a good starter light. But, I would do something else before buying any seeds, I would read, read, and then read some more. If your gonna do it, do it right.
Nothing to hooking them up, they are plug and play. And, they will only cook the plants if they are too close to it. You can get them on ebay including bulbs for under $150.00 all day long.
250 Watt shouldnt unless you put it way to close....back of hand test helps, of its hot on the back of your hand its probly to close at that distance for a plant....im gonna guess stay 18 - 24 inches above the plants and all should be good...and imo there is no comparison for quality of light and results from the MH and HPS
I was gonna suggest craigslist as well.
Magnetic ballast (the cheaper to buy for a first try) should be fine to ger used, be careful buying used digital ballast....the heat cycles reall take a toll on the chips in them....they may work at persons house and the banging around on the way to your grow could shake loose a chip from the board or even beeak a chip on the board after all the heat cycles after 2-3 years.
There you go dude, and until then read, research, and study. Knowledge can do more for a grow than all the lights, nutes, and toys. Not having it has killed many many plants...makes me cry...LOL!
Agreed knowledge is key, but imo the second place to not skimp at all is the lighting. Use this little plant to try out what you learn from studying and see what you can do. And let us know your results and dont be afraid to ask for help......just take it all with a grain of salt....if one person is saying it...maybe not the best idea, if 10 people tell you the same thing....its probly an ok bet, but still just a bet.
A few years a go, me and a friend put together a butt load of videos in this very forum. Click on the Grow Video's post in the perma link section and there you are, I was under a slightly different screen name then.
Agreed knowledge is key, but imo the second place to not skimp at all is the lighting. Use this little plant to try out what you learn from studying and see what you can do. And let us know your results and dont be afraid to ask for help......just take it all with a grain of salt....if one person is saying it...maybe not the best idea, if 10 people tell you the same thing....its probly an ok bet, but still just a bet.
jorge cervantes on youtube and anything written by him will be good info to absorb.
I use compost (leaves, veggies. Ect) and perlite but no nutes I just use the water from my fish tank filter.
