i prefer to do the transplanting method and work up to the bigger containers. early on the small 4" containers for the first few weeks then transplant into 1 gal. containers. i can fit a lot more plants under the cfl's and fluorecent strip lights for veg using smaller containers. a couple weeks later they go into 3 or 4 gal. containers and the MH lights gets used because the plants cover a much larger area, so the stronger light is needed. although i am happy with the 3 and 4 gal. i plan to get some 5 gal. containers soon. it depends on how much growing area you have along with the lighting you are using. if you are going to purchase containers, i suggest that you buy the heavy duty containers. the standard ones will work fine, but the heavy duty will last longer, and are much stronger if you move them around some.