Hey M/L ,
As far as costs a 600 and 1000 are almost the same , bulbs too . I prefer EYE hortilux hps bulbs myself = enhanced blue / green spectrum for veg , yet still kix ass during flower . I don't believe in MH due to less lumens and running hotter .

I manage to cool 2 -1000w hps in cooltubes w/ a 6in. 630 cfm hurricane centr. blower . 2 1000w hps 2 blowers and dehum. running 20 on / 4 off = 180.00 a mo. on my bill - but im not in california like Weedhound w/ big elect. costs . A single 1000w. set up = prob 1/2 that to run per month .

36 -26 -36 sounds like my wife LOL . :hippy: I honestly would try for something a lil taller . I've seen 6ft tall x 30in wide x 24in. deep = c 13 pre fab'd wardrobe cabinets at IKEA , Homedepot , lowes that work great for like 100.00 . If your as tight as I am search Craigslist.com for free shit 2 . I can post a pic. of my old retired cab like this w/ a 250 hps in it for ideas on ventilation etc... I was able to cool it w/ 2 cheap ass 4in. inductor duct booster fans . 20.00 each. - but don't buy 1 of the lights likes in it w/ enclosed ballasts = they suck = you prob. already knew this by your remote ballast comments , you've been doing your homework - :thumbsup: Always draw w/ a blower - never push .

I helped someone build a 6' x 3' x 2' = c-22 cabinet last year w/ a 400w hps inside a cooltube only cooled by a 35.00 6in. 250 cfm inductor booster fan and he was able to do 3 - 5gal. dwc buckets in it and yield very well - like 3/4 lb. 1st try . <- this sounds right up your alley but in dirt not DWC .

The hobby is way way fun , almost addictive . The pursuit of perfect super killer buds that are as close to free as you can get . I've kept track w/ a cpl. of my gardens elect. , nutes , bulb depreciation , water bill , hydroton etc... My last N/L x Nev. Haze grow cost me $17.00 an oz. to produce . Im a reg. mmj user -n- will not / do not sell - but I bet it'd go for $350.00 oz. or better here in the ghetto . 17.00 sounds lots better .

Good luck -n- keep us informed
Peace
Crispi :jointsmile: