hello Doggonewild, IMO the light you get really depends on the space you have to grow and how you plan to cool it, and that one should be fine...I've got almost the same ballast as the one you're looking at (mine is iPower brand but same specs), and for my cab (22"x36"x62") it's perfect as far as lumen and heat. I've got a 6" fan blowing on it that doubles as cab circulation. No experience with the cooltube but i don't see why its a bad idea if you're worried about too much heat. And that price can't be beat, I paid about the same for mine and feel I got more than my money's worth. Just remember to keep air circulated and watch how your plants react to the heat and light distance and I'm sure you'll be fine...get a journal going so I can sub you, I wanna see how great your grow goes!!!!