light question?

ok i have 3 26 watt bulbs connected like this
......../
----< /
.......<
.........\

< = y connecters
---- is the original clamp light
/ \ =lights

the < below the ----< is a y connector connected into it and the lights stick out roughly in that order

its not realy hot but how far away should they be, the one is 4 1/2 inch away and the other is 4-5 inches away

the last one (the one sticking out on the bottom) is not facing the plant all the way but its still givin it light (its probobly 5 inches away) then i have a 15 watt light thats about 3-4 inches away on 1 plant

Yeah, I would like to know at what distance a 1600 lumen CFL bulb loses its effectiveness. Is 5" too far? I realize the intensity degrades with distance but it looks from some of the grow pics that their CFLs are inches away and the plants look nice.

when you can feel heat one the back of your hand it's too close

ok cuz i can feel almost no heat.

oh yeah the bottom leave has a bunch of brown on it i think from nats so can i use Safer Brand Ready to use Isecticidal soap that kills aphids mealy bugs whiteflys and mites? i couldnt find a pick of it online

yeah...you can use it...I will use anything with pyrethrin in it to kill those fuckers...better to be rid of them....fuck organics...that shit never works...you have to use insecticides if you want to get rid of them.

Stupid knats... I hate those bastards. Like HonkeyTown said, don't bother with organics. Fry those bastards. Sticky traps help too!