hydroponics or soil?

I am preparing for my first grow. I will be growing in a closet. I am considering either a hydroponics kit found at ezhydrokit.com or using soil. I am planning on using a dual spectrum Compact Fluorescent Grow Light which delivers 50% true BLUE SPECTRUM (6500k) and 50% true RED SPECTRUM (2700k).

For a first time grower, would you recommend me use a hydroponics kit, or stick with soil?

I am also trying to get some killer seeds, does anyone know a legit seedbank that will ship to the USA, also what are the possible legal ramifications of buying seeds? will they just return the letter or will be arrested? Is there a certain strain someone would recommend that has a high potency but still able to be grown by a first timer?

thanks for the help!

thanks for any

I very strongly recommend that a new grower start with the best quality SOIL you can afford. The medium will make or break your first grow while you are learning! A forgiving medium is GREAT for a new grower. To start your seeds, a fine-textured unfertilized soil is necessary and any 'seedling starting mix' from a garden store is acceptable. After the first 2-3 weeks, a soil that is unfertilized or very lightly fertilized with organics is best. Composted humus mixed with perlite, 'happy frog' brand soil, or even miracle gro organic choice with extra perlite are all possibilities.
When you learn more about growing, you can build a fully functional hydro system that will fit the space you have for MUCH cheaper than any you can buy, and it will work just as well (or better, because you built it CUSTOM).
For seedbanks, check out our sponsors (shameless plug! :D). Even bagseed that came from a bag that you are sure is an indica or indica hybrid (couchlock, body effects, sleepy, numbing) will work for a first grow.
For strains, the easiest 'classic' indoor noob strains that give great product and grow under even not-so-perfect conditions are skunk #1, Northern Lights #5, Pure Afghani, Pure Power Plant (my personal fave of all these, and a commercial cashcropper's DREAM to boot!), and Hindu Kush.
Read around- there's a link in my siggy that will also help get you going.

thanks alot stinky attic, i actually just spent the last hour pouring over your grow guide. Other than the soil, and fertalizer, i am getting the feeling that the light is one of the most important factors. Do you think that a 125 watt dual spectrum CFL would do the trick for 2 plants? this will run me around 120. is there a better choice for cheaper? thanks again for the help.

Just to add to this, organic soil or soil is much better tasting than hydro. You will get a better yeild with hydro but the quality isn't there. I've compaired my friends organic grown and it blows away the cannabis clubs hydro. But ya listen to that sexy mama named stinkyattic

Rrrrowr! :D
Light and ventilation go hand in hand and you should actually consider them a single entity, if that makes sense (it will when you try to set up a grow).
You need a minimum amount of ventilation no matter what, but the ADDITIONAL air movement you need then depends on your lights.
I've never run one of those big CFLs but I have seen successful grows that have. IF you go flouro, be certain to train your plants to have a shallow, flat canopy. You should be able to exhaust the heat off that sucka with just a 4" duct booster fan.
If you have a total of about $300-$350 to spend on the light/ fan combo, consider a small HPS light. A 400watt with air cooled hood is ideal for a space that is about 3x3x6'high and you can vent it with a 6" duct booster fan. The fan is cheap but the light is expensive.
Bigger than that and you are looking at running a REAL blower, and those run $100 or more for just the fan.
Your results depend on your conditions and light. And as Cigs42 pointed out, plants grown with care and attention blow commercially-produced weed out of the water once you learn what you're doing.
Don't skimp on exhaust!
If you plan to go bigger later, get the better exhaust sytem set up now. It will save you having to replace it when you buy a larger light.

I am new to indoor growing and I have found biobizz allmix to be forgiving.. if not a little bit stressful for seedlings, it's still good thumbs up!

Soil worked for me! Hope it can for you too!

Peace,
Denial