First Grow - 4 weeks into flower (pic) Suggestions?

Hi. Technically, my first grow was a bagseed try. 2 Gorgeous males!

This is my first 'real' try. Bought seed. I have a NL X Shiva and White Widow. In hydro (bubblers). Now 4 weeks into flower. 400w HPS. Nutes are GH but I don't follow one set formula, but loosely based on Lucas's or 123. (I need to nail this down)
I don't have a PPM or pH meter. I use the pH drop kit.
pH is at higher 5's (near as I can tell), but I suspect I've had fluctuations.

I want to do this right & am getting nervous as they are in a critical phase.

1. I've pruned some large leaves to allow more light. I do a few at a time once in a while. Should I have done more? Do they look too leafy?
2. Should I be doing anything different here?
3. Also, I've a problem with the NL X Shiva. Pics to follow.
4. I'm 4-4.5 weeks into flower and not sure if they are where they should be. I think I should be flushing in about 2 weeks (first the NL/Shiva)?

The WW's bucket is raised about 6" to have it's canopy even to it's neighbor.
I appreciate your comments/suggestions about my first grow. (sorry for the improper lighting for the pics).

1st pic - problem leaf
2nd is the main NL x Shiva flower
3rd is White Widow (female seeds)
4th - NL x Shiva.

The leaves do kinda look fat. I think thats due to heat or maybe just plain genetics. Either way it's nothing to worry about. Instead of pruning the leaves try tucking them in or tieing them somewhere. That way you induce less stress than if you were to prune them. Otherwise you seem to know exactly what you're doing and it looks as if it'll pay off in a few weeks. Very nice plants. You should be proud. Goodluck and welcome to the forums.

Also, don't worry about the yellowing in the leaves. This is just the plant using up the nutrients that are stored in them so it can fully flower. Nothing to worry about bro.

Thank you. I'm just nervous about everything because I want it to go well.
The pic of the leaf shows yellow pinpint dots. This is uniform through the NLxShiva. The WW has none of this at all. I don't have spider mites, but I can't quite nail down what's causing it. I just tested my ph and I think it's running more towards 5. I added some plain water to raise it a bit. Could too LOW pH cause that? I'm just worried about it because I think that plant has perhaps 4 more weeks to go? (guessing)

Also, in the flower pic, you can see the little flower leaves have white tips. I think that's lack of mag? maybe?

http://www.overgrow.com/growfaq/1382

Looks like the last one on the list.

Yes, a bit, but I don't get the larger blotches. Plus the leaves are affected uniformly around the plant. Even the ones at the bottom in shade so I can't see how it could be heat.

I have a fan blowing on the light (it also hits the plants) and if heat - the WW is not affected at all so it doesn't make sense. I just can't figure it out and it doesn't help that I don't have a PPM meter to report the results.

Awesome,Congrats. I was wondering where you got your beans? I wanted to buy some online pretty soon. I was thinking Soma A+ Rockbud. But now, Since ive seen yours... I might have to get the white widow. Anyway, i think your problem is ph fluctuation. It happens because the water changes ph constantly. Damn oasis cubes are low ph to start. Nitrogen GH is High ph, phosphorus is low ph, Potasium is High ph, Distilled water is 4.0 ph drinking water is 6.5 tap is 7.5-4.5 depending on your well. All these things and if theres more additives another factor. Ph is name of the game.

You really think they are turning out nice? Good to hear this.
I'll try to pay closer attention to the ph. I really should get a meter cuz the drops are a PITA. I read them a bit ago and I think they're at 5? I added some non-Ph'd water to raise it a bit. Very unscientific!

If I can't fix the problem, do you think this issue can be held at bay in it's current state till harvest? (assuming it doesn't get worse).

I got the seeds from one of the bigger outfits that sells other's brands. I was very pleased at the speed & method they arrived and very happy with the whole thing.

Try to measure your water everytime. If its too high use ph down soluble packet. try 5.5 ph to 6. 5.8 is primetime. Or 6. Its all in how the plants respond. make shure the temp of the water is 75. not cold and not hot. your going to be flushing next. Thats fun...like a dentist. theres a process online at erowid probably.

Dialtone - Thank you. I'll look into this 'soluable packet' stuff. I'm currently using pH down that's red liquid. And I'll check it more often.
Yes, I hope I can time the flushing correctly. I'm pretty anxious about the whole thing. More so than when to harvest.

I'm not sure how to predict when it'll be 2 weeks before harvest. Will have to do some heavy reading on it.