I've been using the small jiffy pots, putting in the sprouted seeds. I've tried and failed with 4 different seeds (nirvana indoor mix).
There are 5 23w CFLs for my lighting. Ocean forest soil.
Last time, the seeds just sprouted and i put them in. They didn't really shed the shell, so...
Don't feel like an idiot. NPK is the Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (Potash) in the nutrients. Like how you said 24-8-16, that's it. Is there any NPK value on your soil? Sounds like you have it well handled :)