wow thanks for the advice! ok so here's where im at now. i found mylar paper and set it up on the sides and the back. i bought a pH test kit with increasers and decreasers (which i think i'm only supposed to add them when its time to fill the res and add more nutrients, about at week 2?). i ordered some 6-4-4 nutes from foxfarm and they should be here in a week. how much should i give my plants at first? a whole tablespoon per gallon? or should i start off with less? the only nutes i have given my plants are the first starter nutes that came with the ag.
next, i uprooted some of my plants to prevent overcrowding. so now i am left with 5 plants. its almost been 2 weeks, and one is about 3 inches tall, the others are about half that size. i have an airstone sitting in the res as well. 4-6 leaves on each plant. i have also been rotating my plants every other day to prevent root entanglement, and to ensure that each plant essentially receives the same amount of light. my lights are still set to the herb/basil setting, which gives them 18/6 light. do i need to switch them to 12/12? and if so, do i do that gradually or is it ok to do it all at once? im so excited! other than that, im hoping everything will work out. the optimum pH level is 5.5-5.8, from what i have heard. if i am mistaken about anything, or if you could offer some advice or input that would be greatly appreciated! i hope im off to a good start. one last question: is it illegal to purchase seeds from amsterdam, and what is the likelihood of getting caught if it is illegal? hmmmm