This will be my first grow and I need some help. After some research, I know that I would like a combination of both hps and mh lights during both stages, but I don't know what to buy and which wattage to choose. I will be growing in a 2x4x5 grow tent.
a 400w would be perfect. 50w per square foot. a 600w would be good too but you would have some good ventilation up in that tiny tent or you'll have some serious heat issues.
I have a 400 watter and it does more than enough of a job...heat issues but nothing I cant control in that size of an space id go with 400 easy
400W should be plenty in that space. How many plants do you plan on housing in there? I personally like 100W per plant, but that's just me. MH for veg and HPS for flower. Not sure why you want to use both during each stage, but I'm sure it won't hurt.
I pack a 400w in my gl60 little hard to keep cool I use a 300cfm fan to move the air from bottom to top stays 80f when ambient temp is 70
Your better off buying T5's for the space you plan on using. Heat won't be a problem and T5's produce more lumens per watt. The best part is you can hang them an inch above your plant and it won't the leaves.