Tent lighting question

I am about to start growing and have been reading every night until my eyes bleed. I am looking at a 3x3x6 tent to get me going. If I am correct a 600 watt dimable light will be good for this application correct? Also what kind of hood should I get. sorry for all the questions but I just want to make sure that I have everything planned out before I start that way I have an idea about what I am getting into and am doing it right.

600 hps would be optimal , In a 3x3 your going to need a sealed air cooled hood, Make sure you have some awesome airflow going through that bad boy (450+cfm) , Other wise you'll cook what ever your trying to grow in no time . A 400 hps would work too with less heat issues , but your going to need an air cooled hood none the less. I have a 1k hps in my 40inch x 40 inch and have to have an ac running constantly while the lights are on in addition to the air cooled hood .

Another question, should stick with a 3x3 tent or should i go with a 4x2x6? it seems as that might give me more optimized space. BTW I will be growing in soil.

I would suggest a 400w for your first grow. The 600w might cause heat issues.

As for tent size, the 3x3 gives you an extra square foot of space. Cheers and good luck.

3x3

So a 3x3 tent running on 400 watts would be fine? What about ventilation and a filter? This is all new to me and with everything I have been reading lately it is just hard to wrap my head around. I just want to get a decent setup going and want a decent outcome. This is all new to me like I have said and any pointers or outher sources of information is greatly appreciated. Is this a decent setup to get me going? https://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-GLK400LS24-Digital-Dimmable/dp/B005ECY4UQ/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1475031947&sr=8-10&keywords=400+watt+grow+light