gentlemen:
if you have a local hydro shop, they have a ton of stuff you can use and they have the expertise to help you. i told them i was growing pumpkins and tomatoes (and this year the hydro dude gave me a handful of "super large" pumkin seeds (and those are growing along side my "plants."
soil: i use fox farm ocean forest potting soil -- it's good stuff -- it's about $20 for 20lbs. the great thing about this soil is it is so rich you really don't need ferts for the first month of growth (plants love this soil). once my seedlings are in i never change the soil (i have them in three gallon pots).
as for the ferts, i don't remember what i used last year (i'll check and get back to you tonight). i believe i spent less than $50 for veg ferts and bloom ferts (and have most of it left for this year).
i hope this helps. there is a ton of info via a google search.