Building Grow Cabinet - LED VS HPS VS MH

Hey Guys, I am new to this site but i do have a lot of knowledge on growing. i work in a garden nursery out here in the middle of nowhere so also have lots of experiences with gardening and growing things. I would like to grow mabye 4-5 plants indoors. I have a budget of around $500.00 to spend on the whole project.

I have decided to start my project my deciding on which lights i want to use.
i have done many research on the led vs hps and all that and cant seem to find anything legit. i am leaning towards the leds, but mabye building my own led panel instead of buying the panels such as the ufo. Additionally adding a small CFL bulb for the roots during growth and then also buying a hps or using the cfl again to help with the flowering stages.

Im not sure on this but was told that rule of thumb on watts per plant was 100 Watts.

what do u guys prefer i use Hydroponics or regular soil?!

Also needing help on legit places to get seeds. if someone would please help assist me this is my first time actually growing indoors.

i am a prof. videographer and photographer and would like to completely journal the entire process start to finish!

Please Respond back and help me out!

Thanks guys!

i personally grow with soil but hydro will give you bigger better plants and id go with a hps if i was you a 400 watt will do for 4 or 5 plants but id recommend a 600 really good yeild any thoughts on a strain yet......happy growin..

spliffbazz

i want something with a higher percentage of indica. mabye even pure indica. for 1 it helps with anxiety, and dont they go shorter and thicker plants? im trying to keep the space very limited for the growing. and very hidden