I usually grow my plants with the 38w flouro's above the plants about 8" - "12 and decided to try to lowering them to about 4" to 6" and since they give off no heat, does this even matter?

It all depends on the stage of the plants. you don't want the lights too close with seedlings but when they get bigger I used to put mine almost touching.

my plants touch the t12's. they dont get hot at all. im lazy and move them every so often

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yeah put them at least 2 inches above, past that the lumens don't penetrate the leaves as well.

2 inches is a good distance. Just don't get overly concerned if your plants grow into them for a short time until you move them.

I have 45 watters and they get a little warm, so I found by trial and error that i keep some at 2 inches and some at 4-5... seems to work so far...

I can also say that 2 inches is a great distance with your light question, I did it, worked like a charm. You can get those lights SO CLOSE, it's just, they aren't warm enough to burn the plant.. and since they are a linear light source, the plants will flourish. I have found that warm white bulbs is the light they respond to best (they hated cool white, HATED)

------------------------------------------------ (big tube of light)
------- (instead of a grow light which emits from a small point)

Yes I would also use proper grow lights.
Good mention platinum

np. nice plants lacy

I put them about 6" over the top now, thanks guys.

Also, my new blueberry sprouts are starting off a very yellow/light light green color and my other ones are dark green.