I started this grow with my light at 30inches, but on the lowest setting and it looks like it wasn't strong enough and the plants ended up stretching too much. I have since raised it to 50% and will be increasing it when the third set of leaves start growing, +10% per day until max.
I've barely had to water them as they wick water through the air holes in the sides and bottom of the cups after I drench my 5 gallons. Took a soil sample with the microscope, and I can see the microbes are eating up the nutrients; not as many yet but they'll reproduce quickly enough. I've ordered a cellphone holder for my microscope so I'll be able to post pics of the soil life next week.
Added nutrients to promote root growth this week consisting of Kelp, coconut, aloe and TM7 (humic/fulvic acid with micronutrients).
I'm not going to monitor my PPM or PH this grow since I found the soil held it's own at 6.8-7.2. Living organics are perfectly happy and adjust their own PH levels, and a lot of the nutrients I use don't burn unless you go way overboard.