i was just reading one of weedhound great threads, i saw a few things that i have ????? about. lets beguin with hydroton. how do i go about gettin it ready to use. soak it for how long?

lastnite i was think bout why havin b/r lite was a good thing for grow. then i got up to fine that my red blub have died, the best i could get at 7pm on a sunday was a philips plant & aquarium lamp. should i go get a new red, or sumthing diff?