Tips for a beginner?

Hey all, I'm about to start my first grow and am incredibly excited; However I've got a few questions.
First off was my lights: I've not yet bought the lights mainly because I'm really unsure about them, I have small ideas and did a little browsing and figured that http://www.homedepot.com/buy/lithonia-lighting-4-light-fluorescent-troffer-discontinued-2gt8-4-32-a12-120-1/4-gesb-pws1836-lp735.html#.UIdRw8XA-8F These lights couldn't be too bad could they? I'm kinda low on cash as well, so it has to be around 50-100$ If you have any other suggestions please tell me! I don't wanna use bad lights :l I want a happy plant that puts out some good bud haha.

Second question would be containers, I'm going to grow using soil and such (Isn't that callledHydro organic?) I need sterilized containers right? At first I was thinking just some 5 gallon buckets and calling it good. But again, if you've got suggestions there as well please share with me.

Anyways, thanks for reading guys. If you have any other useful tips of any kind please do share :3 I'm taking as much as I can on this.

How many plants are you trying to grow? And you arent starting out with a 5 gallon bucket are you?! You understand the while germing process right? Even though it isnt a requirement

Hps(high pressured sodium) and mh(metal halide) lights are the best to use. but can run you about 50-60 a bulb its steep bit worth it. you obviously need more than one as well. so i think you should read in the lights section. before you ask any more questions

Will do. And I'm not starting with 5 gallon buckets, I've considered some sterilized clay growing pots. And I'm starting with 3 plants, each is going to be a different strain. The three strains I'm choosing would be Bubble Gum, Skunk, and Big Bud. Anyways, I'll take a look into the lighting section as you said. Thanks again though for replying, appreciated muchly.

No problem dude, this is what this website is for, to help those in need lol. Good strains. hopefully you will get some dank yield happy growing to you.

Check ebay.. sometimes you can find a 250 watt HID combo light with a MH and HPS bulb for a little over $100. That will work for 2-3 plants, and you can figure you can pull like 1/4lb out of one.. not too shabby for a small space.
You don't have to "sterilize" anything.. just get pots and wash em out if you need to do that to sleep at night.

This is a pretty good place to start:
https://www.rollitup.org/newbie-central/412440-vocabulary-slang-terms-updated-missing.html

Now, do not take this the wrong way, but if all you have is $50-$100 to grow 1 plant...you still have a budget problem. You might as well buy a good book on how to grow MJ.
Here are some very basic questions for you to answer so we don't waste a lot of time:
1. Set your outcomes...what do you ant to accomplish?
2. Establish a budget and expect to exceed it.'
3. Do you live alone? If not make sure everyone in the house is in agreement with your plan...or don't do it.
Budget should include:
Lights, containers, soil, fan(s), ventilation, odor control, timer(s), ability to monitor and control heat and humidity, seed, and a few things I'm too stoned to recall at this moment.
You'll likely not get much of a bump in the electric bill.
What is your growing environment i.e. where are you going to try to do this.
Honestly we are here to encourage and help, but more $$$ will be needed than $50-$100.
It's good that you asked something before you started. Learn and have fun!!
Good luck!

that's great advice Numsi, I wish I had asked this question last year that way I could have already had it up and running! One question though...I am wanting to grow legit stuff like veggies and salad and maybe throw in a few bud plants and I have an outdoor garage with a closed in shop that could be very useful in the way of management...what kind of heating would you suggest for such an area? there is a lot more ventilation than I would like

yeah i think you should save money and plan then when you execute your plan... you aren't worrying about anything, take an extra week or 2 to gain some bucks and go in the right way.

Alrighty, thank you all again for the info and such, it's very much appreciated. Budget wise, how would 300$ do me would you guys think?

300 is a good amount. Especially if you arent growing that many plants

Haha 300 bucks for a setup would be heaven for me! I have an extremely low budget setup going on right now. I read tons and was just too eager. Now I have 1 plant about to go into flowering and I wish I would have waited to get all the necessary equipment. In the end you will do what you want but in my experience i wish I would have waited. Good luck man! Hope you grow some dank sticky buds!

Scratch the flouros and get 250w hps like dude said earlier. Temp n air flow are very important, strive to keep your temp right around 75 F. Invest in a hygrometer/thermometer for like 15. Know when/how much to water, and what nutrients need to be added at certain cycles of life. Keep researching brotha, knowledge is power...

Mr. Blue,
Please PM (private message) me so we can better discuss your changing plans....garage grows where you have to control everything can bust a budget. We need to look at all your options and then I'll send you my ideas and maybe have you talk with a couple other guys. Right off the bat I'd suggest saving more $$$, but let's see what developes.
Later.

numsi gave me some good comment on a post before. im more iwth what he is saying. figure more what u want. it will make diff pending on living arrange, etc. sounds like u want one plant and have little money so i assume u are relatively young. i would recommend a pm with someone more advanced but i think u should read some more to. its good thing u meantion one plant for low expectation. some of the questions u asked are a bit scary. i will say this, know what u want to do as far as setup and learn tons on it. u will learn about fundamentals better and have a better understanding of what u want. i live with my stable girlfriend and have 2 okay incomes. im handy so diy helped me save money on some sides and allowed me to "splurge in some areas"... soil and cfls are cheap but have limits.

All i am gonna say is if you listen to numsi attentively now, you'll do well! I am living proof of that!