I need some help peeps

Ok so im a newbie at indoor growing and I need some help.

This is my plan...

Im also planning on coating the box with mylar and using a 300 watt Metal Halide bulb for veg and a 300 watt high pressure sodium bulb for flower( In a seperate box). I want to have four females in veg until they get to be about six inches. Then take eight cuttings for clones and move the ladies into the flowering box. I will then take the best four clones and use them as my new females in veg. Heres where i need help

- What do I need to hold the bulb?

-Do I need a timer for the light?

-When I start my seedlings how much light should I give them? 24/0?

-If I do need a timer how expensive are they?( I dont have alot of money so im trying to go cheap)

-When I start flowering should I go directly to 12/12?

Any answers will be much appreciated and so will any other suggestions.

-Dr.GreenNutz

A 300watt MH is going to put off a hell of alot of heat for a 2x2 box. I once had a 600 watt MH in a 7x2x8 foot closet it got the temp into the 90's and one time the fan didnt kick on it was 104F. Not so good. Yes a timer for the light is best it takes out the human error of forgetting to turn it on or turning it on at different times. They dont cost much at all and since its christmas time they are on sale at store like home depot, lowes, and walmart. I just stocked up on them cause they were 4 dollars at lowes I think it was. The 24/0 light cycle is what some people use(me not being one of them). All plants need rest from the light. You are trying to mimick nature with the sunlight. The plant begins life and grows through the long days of the year and then flowers in the shorter days of the year in nature so thats what you want and thats why you move to 12/12 for the flower. Back to the light though. I only use MH and HPS so thats all I know about but in your situation with the limited space you may consider CFL. But I dont know a lot about them at all. Good luck with the grow

Thanks man, so what kind of timer is it and how do you hook it up to your lights?

The timer will just be a dial with either some horse shoe pin that are green and red that you insert on the time you want it to turn on(green) and then when you want it to turn off(red). The package will have instructions. Just look by the christmas decorations now and if after christmas look by the lighing section or lamps. They are pretty common in stores. If your using the MH you will plug the timer into your outlet and have it set to the desired times and then plug your ballast into the timer. Thats it, really simple you shouldnt have no problems.

Home Depot sells timers for like $4. They are really basic, just pull the tab up when you want it on, pull the next time off when you want it to go off...real simple.

If you're on a budget, stick with CFLs for the vegging. You'll save a lot of money and you won't have to worry about heat issues. Especially with that size box, heat will build up fast. My box is 2X2X4 and I have six CFLs and the temp is always at 80 degrees.

Okay so now im thinkin about these eco plus fluorescent grow lamps that are 150 watts. I calculated my 4 square feet would receive about 6,825 lumens+ (because of mylar). So thats 1,706.25 lumens per square foot. Not enough! So would two bulbs be enough for four 10-15 inch weed plants?