i use these ballasts solis tek they have the most par out put of any other . tested by growers house . there is a video on you tube. the hortilux is a great bulb i also use . they one of the best . and the hood i dont like it . suggest some thing the raptor hood . larger as possible like this unit . i am not saying buy this unit can buy a off brand that is just as large as long as its 8 inches . has to be a 8 or my opinion or its not good cools a lot better .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Hydrofa...270421?hash=item5b113d8d15:g:OaMAAOSwd0BVyNcE a bigger hood has more foot print spread . a smaller hood has more death deep into the plant . for me i like to spread it out this is a 1000 watts lot of power can do 8 small plants easy most people seem to do 4 medium sized plants with 1000 watts what fan will you be blowing into them ? you will have to cool this light .