T5 vs. HPS for 4x4x4 space

Hey Now,

...a lot has changed since the last time i grew plants indoors so I'd really appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

I'm attempting to keep my growing space concealed from the young members of my family and i've decided to use the space under the basements steps. It's appoximately 4' x 4' x 4' (wood construction) and i would like to have separate veg and flowering areas as i hope to keep a mother plant in a veggie state for cloning.

From what I've read 250w or 400w HPS are loved by growers, but i don't have much height to work with, and i'm concerned with the heat buildup. Two sets of 6 tube - 2' T5 lights (one 3000K and one 6500K) seems like it would work nicely and i wouldn't have to worry about the heat. A small desk top fan would keep the air moving would probably be sufficient.

So what do you think? ...any thoughts, suggestions, comments, etc. would be most appreciated.

Thanx in advance!

well im growing in a bit bigger space then you.. but im using Flos. now for veg and for budding (along with 120w MH). from what i have read from other growers.. they perfer T5's over anything. you have the right wattage for the space.. its just that the flos aren't as effecient as HPS goes (in the specturm of light) with making buds denser and bigger.:smokin:

With correct exhaust, you can get a 400 air-cooled HPS under there. Basements are a DREAM to cool. But you are going to have to train your plants to grow quite short and flat.
I recommend a second small space like a cabinet just to get the plants going under T5s so you can have more frequent and efficient crops... get a new batch of clones or seedlings going while you have the old set in flower. When they finish, put the youngsters under there, and start ANOTHER batch of seeds. This is quite popular among hobby-scale growers.