Is 1000W MH too harsh for young seeds?

I'm in my first grow, I use soil and Grow Big, Big Bloom, and Tiger Bloom in 5 gallon buckets. I have a 1000W Air cooled MH/HPS set up. It's dimmable, and have a 530CFM fan setup so heat hasn't been a problem, especially for the winter. I'm in the process of ordering seeds for my 2nd grow. My first was with random bagseeds. I'll be growing a few different strains, and will probably do anywhere from 8-16 plants. 8 plants if I decide to veg for 2 months or 16 if I veg for 1 month. I'm planning on starting the seeds in a wet paper towel in a bag, and once they start to go I will plant them into soil. I'm wondering if my 1000W will be too harsh for the seedlings or cause too much stretch. Like I said, it's dimmable so I'll turn it to 50%, and I'm planning on having a 2nd fan that blows cold air from outside into one side of my light, and then exhaust the air from the other side with my other fan. I'm just wondering if the 1000W would be too harsh for the plants? Also, if it's not too harsh, how close/far should I keep the light from the plants? Should the temperature dictate that? Also, I'm interested to know your thoughts on how many plants I can comfortably get in there for maximum yield. Would it be best to do 8 plants vegged for 2 months then flip or 16 plants vegged 1 month, then flip. Or maybe somewhere in the middle? I have a whole room I can dedicate to this grow, but would like to get maximum yield. Would more plants be better or less plants vegged longer? Also, I will likely top the plants if I veg 2 months, so they will be quite a bit bushier rather than tall. What's your thoughts on how to get the most yield out of this run. Again, I've had a good run with this first try, and I think I have a good idea of how to get things to work best for my next grow, but just have a few questions about how many plants to do, and also how I should start them with the 1000W. I didn't get my light until about a month into the plants vegging, so my first run started outside, then moved inside after I got my light. Any ideas/suggestions welcome, but I"m going with a soil grow for awhile until i'm a little more experienced and then may try hydro or other techniques. Also, I'm not looking for a scrog or anything, but will likely top my plants to get multiple colas. I really like this technique. I did it on this grow and almost all of them took, and it also made all the other bud spots grow faster, so now my plants are bushy with about 8 different spots that get direct light and are growing. Anyway, what are your suggestions. Keep in mind, Soil, water, nutes listed, and 1000W dimmable MH (VEG), HPS (flower).

Not a seed guy myself, but I do follow a few breeders on the old YouTube and they all say that seeds can be smashed under any wattage of light from the moment they break ground.

Grow Safe

that sounds like my set up. Im a noob too but my plants are doing so well under my 1000 watt mh light. Mine is not dimmable. I have 8 plants in 10 gal pots. I made the rookie mistake of giving full rate of fox farm program and burned one of my plant. it will recover fine. Fox farm soil works nicely. Im going to veg for 5 weeks or so.

the plants will handle the light without any issues as long as the temps are fine, thats the only thing you have to watch, as for distance the only reliable method is using the back of your hand, hold it at the top of your canopy and if its burning then its too close, continue moving it a couple of inches at a time until its just comfortably warm. theres no exact measurement although its usually between 12" and 18". you may find that with a light that strong your plants will drink heavily so keep an eye on that. as for th amount of plants thats reallya personal choice. try the 8 plants this time and the 16 next time and make your choice, personally due to limited space at one of my grows im trying more plants with virtually no veg time just to see for myself.