i just started flowering my first grow and i found that as i went thru the veg stage i was allways needing something elce. the more i researched and learned, the more i wanted to go buy new things so dont expect to make a one time buy. i use CFL's and have no problems. i thinkk they are great, low heat, cheap, low electric costs...wahts not to like. also they can stay only a few inches from the plant. u want 6,500 kelvin (blue/white) for veg and 2,700 kelvin (red) for flowering (u can see in the pix on my profile)

with the foil i have ben reading more and more that is almost counterproductive. it reflects more heat than valuable lumes however if you are in a cold enviroment that that might be a good thing. flat white laytex pant might be better. if you are in a closet it might already be flat white.

Not watering is important when you are new..Do water your plants just not to often. this is important to research in depth. when i water i clean the shit out of my kitchen, bleach spray, alow it to dry then a VERRY light mist of lysol, alow that to dry COMPLETLY and then i have a clean steral eviroment to water. i do this so i can inspect my plants thoroughly, meashure, P.H. run off. chean the part of the pot that catches the runoff and dry it. as this is hard to do in a closet. i have ben useing a britta water filter that ataches to the water faucet which filters the chemicals that i dont wat. dont know if this is actualy helpgull but all is well so far. Keep a log, schedule, chart so you can keep track of all numbers.

ease them on nutes. 1/4 dose every other watering 2 times, then 1/2 dose every other watering and 1/4 dose in betwene. THIS IS HOW I DO IT AND IS PROBABLY WRONG but it has worked for me. After a while the salts builf up effecting the P.H. DO NOT USE ONE OF THOES CRAPPY P.H. PINS you stab in to the dirt ripping the roots. thaty suck, do not work and damage the roots. check the P.H. of run off water.

lime will help with P.H. problems. hydrated lime is best, i have ben useing the dolomite type simply because i did not know better when i got the stuff and it seems to be working (2 weeks later).

you will make mistakes but the best think is that these girls ARE plants and you have time to make corrections. keep it simple, use your head and all should go well. any questions you have there is allways someone on here that is willing to help. this is an awsome community and i dont know what i would have donw w/o them.

happy growing my friend!!:thumbsup: