Ive posted previously on growing pot, you should find it in a search..
I used to grow big-time, 3 room operation.. but that was a few years ago.. havent been into that in awhile.. I used to get bad dreams and bad feelings about it and quit before it was too late.. about 6 months after I moved out of that house the rest of the guys who lived there were busted and on the news and shit.. (they all got diversion and no record, an Orlando thing)
It isn't too much $$$ to get started..
Rockwool is the best to grow in if you are using hydroponic solutions for food, the rockwool acts like a sponge and the roots get plenty of nutrients.. with rockwool there is little mess and no soil..
Lights will cost you the most, unless you steal them. stole some high pressure sodium lights/ballasts from parking lots and metal halide lights from parking garages.. You can get a nice bulb for your newly acquired ballasts for around 60$.. metal halide has the blues for growing, hps has the reds for flowering.. flourescent will work fine for small plants and clones.
Mylar isnt too expensive and will help keep the heat in and keep the plants well lit.
Sativa strains take a long time to grow and grow tall.
Indica strains are short and bushy and have about 8 week flowering time. Probably takes another 8 weeks to get them from clones to flowering state.
also take into account that you have to identify and kill the male plants, if you are lucky more than 50% will be female but that doesnt always happen.
I learned everything from HighTimes and from the books you can get online. If you're gonna grow, get a Marijuana Law book, you may need it.