The area will only be good for starting plants. What you gonna do when they get to be a few feet tall. I've got a 600 HPS system and have to keep the light about a foot off the plant. You really want the light up top -- and you can add vertical lamp later -- but you want the plants to grow UP. For starting your plants you can use a regular flourescent or grow lamp that puts off way less heat. You'll still want to do some venting to keep the oxygen flowing snd cut down on heat buildup. Overall -- I think it's too small for what you are using.