ok, total n00b here just getting started

Alright!
This is my first post and I just wanna see if anyone can sort of steer me in the right direction here...
I've been doing my homework and been bombarded with all kinds of info, I kind of feel like Montag from the book Fahrehenit 451 when he starts to read books.... just so much information and this little brain can only handle so much....

so basically, here's what I have in my possession:
a lumatek 600w ballast
a reflector
a hortilux 600w hps bulb....

now, I tried the bad boy out on my squash plant and cooked the thing (it was about 24 inches away)... waaay too hot, I have some serious ventilation issues (not to mention I need a cool-tube).... I recently just ordered a pyrex bake-a-round online, and am looking up hot to set up my venting... I should be able to figure that part out on my own once I have amassed everything I need...

now, my real question is, what else am I going to need? my grow space isn't very tall (maybe 3 feet high) and that's why I just wanted to stick to something like squash that doesn't exactly grow to be as tall as the ladies would..... I'm still learning!!! I'll work my way up, but I'm assuming a few general rules apply no matter what you may be growing....

I plan on growing them in soil (not ready for hydro/dwc just yet), I understand I will need nutrients as well (and a ph meter would also be very handy)..... it's just honestly been one of the worst growing seasons in my area in years due to all the precipitation we've had.... so I'm just trying to learn... baby steps, ahahahah.

anyhow, ANY help is appreciated!!
thanks!

-Raoul

Your 3 foot tall space sounds like it's a bit small for a 600 watt Hps. Do you have a bigger space you can try growing in?
If not maybe once you get the cool tube you can hook up some high powered intake and exhaust fans and find a place to vent it. If you get some good soil you wont need nutes for 3-4 weeks
but if you're starting from seeds Bio Root or Canna-Start are good for seedlings. A PH tester is always a plus. I got got one from Lowes for $10.00 it's not the best but it does the job.

yeah, the space itself isn't exactly ideal in terms of space..... it's just well hidden/out of the way.... if I was going to use another space, I'd have way more flexibility, but for now the small space is really all I've got... hence why I don't want to grow ladies just yet.... I honestly want to see if I can grow a squash plant since they don't grow to be that tall.... but yeah, the 600 watt setup is probably overdoing it.... but my lumatek ballast allows me to use 300w or 400w as well...

You could try dropping down to a 400 watt in the area. It might still be a little warm but you should see a decrease in temps.

thanks for the info! will get around to posting some results once I have the cool-tube assembled and set up.

Sweet, I'll try to remember to look for em