Noob - A couple of questions

[Jamesnns]

How accurate are the paper Ph strips? Im just using bottled store bought water...
I had some stretching, which continues I think...Im going to re-pot them and I read I can bury the stems. I have two plants with 2.5-3 inch stems, can I bury them 1/4 inch below the sprouts?. If not, how far can I bury them?
My plants are 5-6 days old and dont seem to be growing much. They look healthy enough. Im running 2 1650 CFL 100 watt bulbs in a reflector for each plant using a splitter thing. Considering the height of the stems, the main leaves are up higher in between the bulbs. Should I lower the bulbs and only go with one bulb directly above the top of the plant?
My third plant, which sprouted later,hasnt stretched at all. I lowered the lights as soon as I could. It looks great, except it doesnr seem to be getting bigger either.
Its like Im just maintaining...
I can post images if requested...but Its a pita for me to do.
Heres a link that has some limted photos
1st time grower

 

[Jamesnns]

Update. Nobody replied but I did see views....
I went ahead and re-potted the tall sprouts and changed the lights from two angled bulbs to one bulb each and straight above the top leaves.
What an amazing difference that made. I saw some new growth in just 3 hours and then this am...WOW. They've grown 1/3 bigger and all have new leaves coming out.

Cool beans

 

[Jamesnns]

x2 post..oops

 

[Jamesnns]

Heres she is..the first plant that sprouted..6 days old now.
How does she look?

 

[SparkNShred]

Good luck with your plants, Jamesnns. Paper strips are just fine. Meters are notoriously flaky and hard to calibrate. In soil, you can use tap water. I grow many different plants, and have "hard" tap water, and use it for all my plants, and they are all fine. Soil acts as a buffer. You need not spend money on special water, if growing in soil.

 

[Jamesnns]

Good luck with your plants, Jamesnns. Paper strips are just fine. Meters are notoriously flaky and hard to calibrate. In soil, you can use tap water. I grow many different plants, and have "hard" tap water, and use it for all my plants, and they are all fine. Soil acts as a buffer. You need not spend money on special water, if growing in soil.

I just bought a gallon of distilled..is that OK to use?

 

[SparkNShred]

I just bought a gallon of distilled..is that OK to use?

As far as I know, and from what I find with a quick google search, it should be fine. Cannabis is a tough, forgiving plant. It doesn't need to be babied. Here is my favorite growing guide:

Marijuana cultivation in soil.

 

[Jamesnns]

8 days old..does this look OK?