Question on lights....

Ok so here is the deal, I only want to spend around $200 max on a light set up the cheaper the better since it will be recycled into the grow im sure later on down the road I plan on running 1 plant at a time fem photo or be able to run 1 auto and pop a seed half way through its life cycle to get a perpetual grow going. What would be the best light for me, my grow area is 42 inches long by 20 inches wide by 5 ft high. I know I can get at least 2 plants in there but I would rather run one at a time and or pop one auto seed every 4-5 weeks or so. I was thinking about buying a few larger cfls, larger as in 40-65 true watts, and redoing my set up with them or getting a entire new set up like a 150-200 watt HPS/MH switchable ballast if possible.

Look on ebay for a used lights you can get some good deals there on ballasts, and reflectors, cool tubes.

Check Craigslist. Great deals.

Try not to get robbed.

You only want 1 plant..

And of course light to clone it so you can keep it going forever..

You are on an extreme budget and probably could use some of that 200 for GOOD soil and others stuff too.. ok.. so.. if it is me..

150 watt hps for about 70 bucks new with warranty. 30 bucks worth of blue CFL (and maybe one large 65 water 2700k).

Keep the plant low, LST, watch it produce like a !@#^.. Man, they never told you in school you cold grow under such low lights, a tiny short plant, in a one-two gallon pot, that produces close to 4 ounces of some of the finest buds available in your town..

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This is just one thought to put in your head.. you'll sort it all out, but in the background remember, you can produce on the cheap, don't ever let anyone discourage you (not that anyone here would, but still).

Peace~!

Thanks guys and gals for the replies. I am currently thinking of growing in a different larger closet with a attic port for exhaust. Once I get everything together I will post everything. In the meantime Im gonna post some photos of my current set up/ grow which I need to get taken care of before the next grow. she is taken forever and a few more days to finish flowering lol. I am a noob and made plenty of mistakes but thats the fun in it if you ask me. How much do you think I can yield off of my current plant which is in a 3 gallon bucket with 23 watt x 8 CFL's 6/8 are 2700k for flowering and 2/8 6500 kinda a little mix spectrum I guess lol.

You would be surprised what cfl can do

Ok this is what the closet looks like and how i would like to set it up. Hopefully this works lol.

These are the lights im looking at dunno if they are any good other then what amazon reviews say lol.
http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Light-Dimmable-Ballast-Aluminum/dp/B0054LURGM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dirt-Genius-240W-UV-LED-Panel-Grow-Light-System-6-Band-3w-Flowering-Hydroponic-/350844553055?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51aff7075f

If I go with the Apollo I will end up with heat issues im sure for the space I have to use in that photo. I will need to get maybe 2 of these? http://www.amazon.com/LEDwholesalers-GYO2402-6-Inch-Hydroponic-Booster/dp/B003YFADW8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379300674&sr=8-2&keywords=6"+inline+fan
I also was looking at http://www.amazon.com/VenTech-IF6CF620-Inline-Virgin-Charcoal/dp/B0052ZPMAG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1379300936&sr=8-2&keywords=VenTech+6" for a filter before it exhaust in the attic. I want to get a filter no matter what though . What do you guys think?

get the led bro and save the hassle with heat issues and you get some super dense buds

Do you think the LED will grow 1-4 plants efficiently? I dont mind LST and pruning for light pen.

for sure it will be! I run a 300 watt led and does 5 plants no problem

Ok Cool I have no clue how to tell what led panels are good, there are so many variables its not funny.

$485.83 for Apollo-set up
$391.61 For LED set-up
This is the difference in price I'm thinking as I wound need anything for the led except a exhaust fan. Am I doing this right lol.

*Bump* *bump*

get some Chinese LEDs off ebay, they work great for me and are half the price of brand name competitors. Things to look for in an LED : 3w bulbs ot higher, Seller with good feedback, spectrum geared for flowering or flower/veg never just veg look for 6 band or more units. 4 plants would probably need a 300w unit or 2 smaller units. Check out my thread in my signature to see what im doing with cheapass LEDs and I think I have the links to buy them posted as well.