Can't seem to come up with a good setup

[stinkyattic]

once I veg a plant to the point where it is only replacing the leaves which fall off, -

this is not the goal of vegging. You should not be losing leaves like that. If you are, you have problems, and one of the possible causes IS too little light penetration.

BTW if you are using your real name as a username I suggest having your account deleted if possible and starting over. That's BEGGING for trouble.