Future grow

I have rescently put seed's in new poting soil in my pots.. I just got a 400w mh light an a reflector.. I got a sundial timer an I have a fan blowing to keep the temps down.. My area is in the back of my basement cut off by many layers of certains. ( Not much but it'll do ) This is my real first grow so I hope I get a few seed's sprouting out by the end of the week..
For sprouting should I put the light up close to the dirt or should I leave the light far away..

A 400w MH is gonna be hot hot hot, keep it about a foot or more above the seedlings(so you don't cook them), it doesn't matter for germination as you can germinate in either light or dark.