Personally, and its just my opinions, I dont see the sense in spending a lot of money on the set-up, unless you want to, and have it to spend. I have done well using a couple of cheap shop lights and a plastic stand. I have also even started my tomatoes in my kitchen window with good results, and it only gets direct eastern light. Right now i have 3 , 2 bulb T8 shoplights with a bright daylight bulb and a cool white in each. From what I have read in a few places, you have to keep about 30" ( i think ) from the plants when using halide. I figure you will soon get more knowledgeable input soon.
Tammy

Here is a link that might be useful: My set-up

tammyinwv-

Thanks for your help....I decided to go with this last week:

T5 (8 lamp setup)..have (4) 6500K lights and (4) 3000K lights.

Have it set on a timer for 15 hrs. I did notice that it is a little colder than I would like (running around 65 degrees under the lights) and I don't think that is going to work for growing tomatoes / peppers next winter like I had planned.

Looking to insulate somehow and close off the section to try and trap some of the heat. Any thoughts / suggestions?

Thanks......

Here is a link that might be useful:

The florescent lights give off very little heat. you can comfortably handle the bulbs when on. You might check into some extra heat, such as a something with regular bulbs,. I also read where someone bought those mylar type emergency blankets at walmart camping center to wrap around their shelving unit to hold in heat and reflect back the light. They said they were around $3. I am going to look for one.
Tammy