I just love my T5 rack, but never seen anything like that for a long time, and a rack is a rack, though I like the 54w T5 you really need a bank of 4 or 6 minimum,(tubes) and you need to get the plant real close, as such you do loose the lower leaves, as a noobie I'd consider this: http://www.amazon.com/Apollo-Horticulture-Dimmable-Detachable-Reflector/dp/B00547I5I8/ref=pd_sbs_lg_6
The T-5's are a great light for early and middle vegging plants. I do my complete veg under T-5's, I use an 8 bulb T-5 for the more mature veg plants but the two bulb T-5 will work famously for your starters and even a few weeks into the veg. If you can get 6500k bulbs vs 5000k it would be even better. As the plants get bigger you may have to add a second T-5 but they work very well for veg. And you're correct; they don't produce a lot of heat. OK now to the flower room. Hell Yeah!!!! if you can use the whole room that's great. Your plants will finish at about 30-40" tall and can be as big around as 5' especially if you grow a big fat Maui....YEAH BABY!!! In flower you will need more lighting. My initial grows were all under T-5's including flowering. 3500k is the flowering bulb. So start out with T-5's learn how to grow and experiment with lighting, cooling, Co2, pruning/Trimming techniques.....LET THE FUN BEGIN
