Got it. I germinate with CFLs so that's the extent of my hands on experience with them. I then go to a 400watt MH bulb for veg and then a universal HPS bulb for flowering. Adds an extra 50 to 60 bucks per month in electrictiy but you get some great plants. I purchased my first batch of "Big Bud" seeds on line and had an 80% germination ratio (typical with unknown sex seed is 50%) and all are female, Could be the luck of the draw but I reccomend canaseed.com if you must shop online. Soil is easier and not as expensive. Check out my gallery and their you'll see my indoor soil garden. I've seen some pretty awsome grow boxes online and they even have some posted here if you can afford the parts and pieces, if not then it's time to get creative. First remember some key points 1) Your plants need fresh air. whether it's an intake and outtake air system or your ability to open a door or window and allow fresh air to flow through, just remember to give them fresh air 4 to 6 times per day if possible. 2) Light tight. No light in when lights are off. most use a closet. key point is to not allow any light in when your plants lights are off. the plants follow a very strict schedule of when the lights is on, grow time. when light is off, rest time. Start with 18/6 during the first 5 weeks. 18 on, 6 off. During flowering goto 12/12. Start in small cups during germination. 3) place plants 8 to 10 inches from light. some put them closer. just remember when germinating in soil, bury the seed ONLY in 1/4 inch of dirt. you'll get great results. during germination, i keep them on a twenty four hour light cycle until they break the surface of the soil then I go to an 18/6. there wont be much smell for a few weeks so no worries there for a bit. DO NOT add nutes during their first two to three weeks in new soil as the soil has plenty of nutes for your plants to feed on. any more and you'll burn the roots. When watering, water once maybe twice a week. If using tap water, let the water sit outside in a container for 24 hours. Tap water contains some vital minerals needed for great plants but the chlorine needs to evaporate. that's why you let the water sit for 24 when using tap. For nutes, check out FOX Farms. They have a great soil system with a feeding chart. Start with only what you need. Buying the whole nute system will set you back about 100.00 usd.
Keep me posted. I'm just down the state here in Los Angeles.
