CFLs/Fluorescents for clones and mothers

Hi,

My first post, so I hope I'm not stepping on anyones toes. I'm pretty much a newbie, although I've done my research, but am looking for some help to get my production into a groove, ie, using clones and a mother plant to keep the process rolling.

I was gifted one of those grow tents with HPS 600w light, reflector, extraction fan with charcoal filter etc by the other half - and yes... a really cool understanding other half!

So, I have a tent, not big that I can get between 9 and 16 plants in depending on method, SOG etc, but my big question is....

I want to create a second tent/artificial room, where I can grow clones and keep at least one mother plant in a vegetive state for further cloning. Am I wrong in thinking that a low cost option would be CFLs or florescent strips to provide enough blue light to promote growth in this second room?

I'm planning on building a wooden framework and covering it with something to keep the light in and reflect the light well.... definitely not tin-foil ( lesson learned from the Trailer Park Boys ). I could just go and shell out for another identical tent plus all the extras but I know that Halide bulbs are better for vegetative phase and don't really want to spend a fortune on this second unit. I have loads of space, about 84 square meters indoors to play with, but really just want to keep it small for now.

Could anyone please give me some advice on the environment needed to get those little clones big and string whilst maintaining a mother? Is this even possible in the same environment or are their needs too different.

I've tried searching around, and haven't found anything close enough to give me the confidence to build a dedicated area.

Any help would be so appreciated, and I apologise again if I'm stepping on anyone's toes or have missed something and started a thread where one was not needed.

For max efficiency you can use T5 long fluorescent bulbs/fixtures. and you can stack them on your wood shelf framework and not worry about burning them with a metal halide. Also no worry about heat build up like HID. Mothers and clones need very little light and the footprint of the fluorescent will cover everything well. Good luck and keep updating! I will ask all my neighbors for tinfoil donations if you need me too and gift you with a fully furnished trailer when you get home.

Thanks for the advice. Just literally a week into the first grow ever, so I have plenty of time to prepare the clone home. I'm going to try the T5s and see what results I get, add a charcoal filter and fan to keep the odour down and see if I can get into a good cycle of clones, flowering and harvesting.

Any foil donations welcome! Anything to keep out the cold