If you are living with others that don't grow, (assuming this is why you can't grow in the basement) how are you going to remain stealthy and not worry about being ripped-off or busted?

If this is your home, why isn't it your decision to convert the basement anyway? If it's not your home, don't grow. You are risking having everyone in the house take the fall just for being there.

Are you going to need the exhaust fan running all night, and will that noise create curiosity from the neighbors?

No, the extra darkness is not like a rainy or cloudy day. Light still get's through on rainy days, or it would be totally dark. The extra darkness is...extra darkness. If uninterrupted, it will kill the lady. But only being a single-event stressor, unlikely any permenant damage would result. I'd switch without a worry.

6 - five gallon plants max under a 400w, and only if the plants are placed twords the side of the pots, so all 6 plants can be 'bunched-up' directly under the light.

I would give my left nut to have my summertime temps in the 80's. Even with the a/c on, my outdoor flowering shed (I live in the desert SW) stays in the ballpark of 100 or so. Yes, I have a few techniques to deal with the heat, but it is possible you are fretting too much about 81 degrees. (which is still lower than my night-time temps)

Learn to grow, then learn to maximize your grow. In that order. :jointsmile: