I need some input on a new setup

Don't mention it man, glad to help.

1.5 ounces per month means you need around 4.5 or 5 per cycle which is around 3 - 3.5 months (That is if you dont set up a veg area and use your tent for both veg and flowering). Should be easy enough with a good panel and 3x3. You might not get it the first time but it's not a huge number.
About the height, lets do the math. Let's say you're getting the Area 51 LED panel - probably gonna get one myself later this year: (http://a51led.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=181). a 6 ft tent in height. Your panel is 3" thick. your pots are 12", and you need the panel to be 20"-30" from the plants when vegging and 20" when flowering. so it's 3+30+12= 45" of used height which is 3.75 feet. that leaves you 2.25 for your plants, so yeah, you might wanna LST, SCROG or Main-line. I would go with LST for my first grow, just so you see for yourself how a plant reacts to bondage, and Main-lining after that first success. That shit looks incredibly efficient (I'm gonna try it on my next grow). Here's the thread about it: https://www.rollitup.org/subcools-old-school-organics/542308-main-lining-thread.html
If there's not a big difference price-wise, I'd go with the 8' tent. That would give you more room for error and 4.25 feet is plenty.

I like to keep it simple, and soil is easy. With hydro setups you have to be more involved, change water and and nutes every day. With soil you can water every 3-4 days or even more. I'm using a soil mix with 50% soil and 50% perlite. You got it the other way around though I think. hydro setups may produce bigger yields, but almost everyone who's done both is convinced that soil buds taste better and hydro buds lose some of their taste and aroma. dunno about potency, should be the same imho. It doesn't really matter though, you can produce high end stuff with both.

Sorry for double posting, Editing wouldn't work.

My numbers were a bit off. You're gonna have 10 more inches to work with since the 30" away from the seedlings are only on veg stage when you've got plenty of room to work with. So it's around 3 feet for your plants. Just for comparison, my TOTAL height space in my grow box is 2.25 feet.

thats cool alot better!!!

Hey man, good choice going with LEDs..
I don't know about tents, bout for sure you're gonna need some air filtering going with the ventilation and the air flow!! Something like acarbon filter, you can also DIY easily!
I think there's a couple o' tutorials in here!

Talking about soil.. It's really a thing you should put great thought into.
I think it's a good way to have your first touch in growing, but it's not easily forgiving for first timers.
Plus, with hydro, I've heard difference in yield in MOST strains, but not all, you should ask if your strain responds better in hydro setups, by sending a mail to the bank you'll choose to buy, beforehand!!

What you should stick with while using soil is:
-First of all, do NOT start your seeds-seedlings into a nutrient high soil! Avoid this at all costs!! All that matters from the start is your soil's and water's pH.
[Also, try to keep your pot kinda warm (not too hot though)!]
-During the time that the seed is in the soil but not out yet, the soil should always be damp.
-When its first set of true leaves appear and it can photosynthesize, you must wait until your soil feels almost dry again. You're going to cause root rot or sthn else, if your roots are moistened all the time.
-While transplanting to your final pot (if you do transplant), you always must throw enough water 'till you see a bit of runoff on the tray. That way you know that all of your roots have been watered.
-If you make something wrong on your feeding (fertilizer), you can/must flush.

Going hydroponics has three main disadvantages:
- You have to set up your hydro system
- You have to keep your water at the right level concerning your roots, also keep your water at the right temps and pH!!
-You must change your water and nutes often!!

Plus, your water's pH levels differ on soil setups to hydro ones!!
If you wanna go with soil, do it, IMO it's the best way to learn while you grow!
Hydro is kinda difficult for a first timer, but if you want to give it a try, go ahead man!! May you succeed!!

Also, may I add, I'm a noob in general and all this information about hydro, is really from what I've heard or read. I've been through the soil info given, by my own experience though!!

Edit: I hope I helped!! Cheers!!

Thank you again,

Another thing that I find kind of interesting is some people have 1 or 2 very large plants in a small tent, while other people seem to pack as many as 10 or 15 plants in the same space...Does that purely depend on the genetics of the plant? Because from what I read in scenarios like that the yield doesn't change much? I think I'd be happy with 2 plants (two different strains so I have a better chance of liking at least one at the end lol and variety is always fun) in the 3x3.

How to pick a light though? I'm assuming all of the major companies you guys talk about all cover the required spectrum and light output required for top quality buds right? Those area 51s are awfully expensive.... Would you ever buy a used growing LED? Also, what would you consider a good price on a tent like we've described? I guess those are going to be my biggest investments at this point... It's strange because the tents seem more expensive USED on craigslist than they do NEW on amazon??

First of all, NEW tent from amazon is the only option. A friend has got one recently, these prices are no joke!!

I wouldn't use a used LED cos' you don't know how many hours has it been working, it may be close to it's life expectancy!!

You can pack as many ladies as you want, but your yield will decrease from each lady!
The reason why some people prefer their lady in a larger room, is that the quality is better!! Seen it, read it!!

Cheers!!

I guess some people want a bigger variety so they grow smaller plants but alot of strains at the same time.. in 3x3 you can grow 2-4 decent size plants. 2 plants are perfect for a first run.

The Area 51 are expensive but they are perfect for a 3x3 and looks like they leading the market right now. You want top quality bud.. it's gonna cost you. but I think it's worth it - These lights can run for 10 years, they only draw 190w so you save electricity and you get lifetime limited warranty. There are several other recommended brands but they aren't cheap either. Go through the LED section. There's alot of good info there about LED panels. I wouldn't buy a used panel.. but that's just me, I like my stuff shiny and new.

About the tent, people seem to like Secret Jardin tents: http://www.secretjardin.com/ , http://www.amazon.com/Secret-Jardin-Darkroom-Pro-DR90/dp/B004NGKWWI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1389551446&sr=8-1&keywords=secret+jardin+dr90
I'm gonna grab the DR60 (2x2x6) or the DS60 when I get some extra cash.

Also, being in central arizona, am I ever going to need a dehumidifier? Should I just get a humidity monitor and then use a humidifier when needed??? I cant imagine it's ever too humid in AZ for these plants....

I dunno man, you probably need a humidifier to raise your humidity. I live near the beach so its not a problem for me. I say get a hygrometer and see how it is before you invest the money on one.

Cool
What air flow do you recommend for a 3x3x6 and an area 51 xgs-190??

2 of these, 1 pushing air in, 1 pushing air out:
http://www.amazon.com/iPower-GLFANXB...ch+booster+fan

and
1 of these:
http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-Carbon...+carbon+filter

Is this going to be satisfactory for my setup?