mugen, a 400 watt HPS will make your elec bill go up about $20-30 a month. Achieving the same amount of light with CFLs would not only require more wattage (electricity usage) but the CFLs and sockets themselves would cost more than the HPS system. HPS is not just for experts. In fact it makes growing easier. I veg with twelve 26watt CFLs for 6 plants at a time and flower 12 plants at a time with 1000watt HPS. I can tell you for a fact that HPS is the way to go if you have the money and are serious about growing. A 400 watt system is $120 from HTG supply. Looks like someone already posted a link LOL
Is your username in reference to the auto parts manufacturer? I had $8 grand in mugen parts on my car... before it was stolen
Nice sig too LOL And get rid of the aluminum foil ASAP. Flat white paint is better and mylar is best.
If you do decide to stick with CFLs they have Y-splitters for the sockets at home depot for $1.98. You can fit two bulb in one socket and it puts them at a 45 degree angle. This is better because CFLs emit more light out of the side rather than the top. Here's a pic of my CFL setup. This is how I know it is more expensive than HID
I had yellow and daylight color bulbs in there at the time of this pic for an experiment. The results: daylight (blue/white) color bulbs are much better for veg.