defoliate

Good news. You won't break her if you trim anything but won't harm to leave her. From a noobs point of view I'd say leave her and see the outcome. Trim your next grow or vice versa, that way you will have your own perspective as to which you prefer.

lower your ec .......................lower your water level..........................dont defoliate................................this would be my advice if asked

You grow Hydro, i grow soil. Had best results when most of LST training was done, before first heavy lolitop, pruning and defoliation sessions. I try to train with minimal damage, only 4-5 days before flip i do now heavy trainings if i grow 5-6 weeks veged plant, or two waves on 5-6 week and again before flip. My first LST bent is very heavy, but that way i loose only one or two big leaves, all other is just tucked to expose branches. I love my girls , try to harm them only when i know what i want to achieve. Tactical damage works well for me.