Air cooled hood or not...Plz advise

have a 2x4x7 tent and want to use a 400 watt light. Now the tent is set-up in a basement which is about 10 degrees cooler than up-stairs. Can I get away with just using a basic reflector with decent intake/exhaust fans (can even have one blowing on light) and not have any major heat issues? Only reason for going this way was to save a few bucks and get one with a switchable ballast. If there might be an issue with heat, will an air-cooled hood eliminate the problem? The only thing with that is then I can only afford one with HPS only. Will this affect the grow with HPS only? Thanks to every one who takes the time and shares their knowledge. Peace.......

I would go ahead with the Air-Cooled hood, even with the ambient room being 10* cooler than the house above, you will still have heat issues with a 400W light in that small of a tent space. You can also get the light a lot closer to the plants without burning them.

You will be fine with an HPS for the entire grow, the only drawback is that the lack of the blue spectrum of light during Veg will cause the plants to stretch a little more than they would with a MH. You can get around that by buying a full-spectrum HPS bulb, like the 430W EYE Hortilux. I use nothing but those EYE Hortilux HPS bulbs in my grows and get excellent results.

definitely aircooled hood. i didnt get one with my 600 and i regret it every day not spending the extra money and getting one.

+1 get air cooled

Get the air-cooled reflector. If you don't buy the proper stuff you waste money. Your plants will do better with HPS in veg stage than in a hot MH tent. You can always add the MH bulb later when you got the cash.

I have a 400 w in a tent. I built my own cooler for less than 5 bux.. keeps the reflector cool enough that I can hold my hand right on top of it indefinately. Hope this might give you an idea on how to save a buck and still keep your heat down.