smaller HIDs

are the 150 and 175 watts any good?

or should i just go for a 250 watt

heat is my problem trying to keep it down

im gonna be running 2 different cabinets

250 hps for flower
but im looking at the lower wattage metal halide for vegg?


any ideas ?

Well HPS is a lot cooler then MH lights. If heat is a problem how about veg using floro cool tubes? Just get a couple 2' or 4' (depending on how many plants you got going and space) then veg with that, when flower time comes round switch to HPS. My grow room is 4.5'x4.5'.8' with my 400w HPS my temp stays between a nice 78-80°.

Edit: I'm sure those lesser lights will do the trick but I wouldn't go any less then 250w (I really wouldn't go lower then 400w but just sayin lol)

how tall do you start flowering at ? and finish with the 400 watt?