I put my beans in a coffee cup with a half inch of water (tap unless your water is f'd up) put them on top of my router with a piece of junk mail on top to keep it dark and they usually crack within 1-3 days. I like that I can look in on them and once they sprout a tap root into the solo cups...
ACI is kind of the Apple of the tent world. Everything just works together and yeah you'll pay a little more but it's a great value proposition.
In my eyes anyway.
You'll want to know about chlorine/chloramines and Ph mostly. I just moved to the city and whilst I never had a problem with water before, I do now that's to our medieval infrastructure. It's probably fine right out of the tap but you should know if it is or isn't. My Ph is 9.2 out of the tap...
You would not as the light has two quantum boards on a rectangular heat sink so they are built for a rectangular growing space. It a quality company and a better light IMHO. Yes, it will cost more but lights (and soil) are where you want to put your money.
More than one way to skin a cat...
I'm a believer in the AC Infinity fan/controller it's so convenient. You can definitely cheap out on the tent.
I would buck up and get these lights though...you'll get much better coverage and an extra 110 watts. Your plants will thank you...