Yes the money definitely accumulates trying get it right.
I’ll post some pictures of the water chiller I made. I would have to say it is by far the most important to be successful with AG.
I grew under my staircase. I did a total of 8 plants. With 3 being complete failures. Root rot was the cause and had to fight it every time until I made the chiller. I even ran ductwork understairs to try and help with heat.
To cover the top of lid I made a Mylar cover as well.
Also you need TDS,and PH meter. Check your water everyday, write down your results. You be surprise how bad things can get over night. Also not sure what type of water you plan on using but I would recommend buying one of those Zero water filter pitchers. Adjust the PH of water, filter check ph again adjust if needed filter it again.
Doing this you can get your Ph correct and have 0 TDS add nutrients then recheck. Make ph slightly higher or lower once you find out how your nutrients effects water. I found making 4 gallons of filter water prepared worked best for convenients of being prepared. Once plant gets big, it will drink about half a gallon a day. So you will see why you want a few gallons made up. And if you smell anything funky in your water, change it. Recommend Hydro-Guard. Also once plant gets going good run pump 24/7 and your air stones.
As far as smell goes. I made a charcoal filter for the room but still had smell. So I bought Air pure 50.