I don't think you are using a CFL (swirly light), sounds like a shop light. Get it RIGHT down to your plants. I'm vegging away happily under shop lights atm, 'cool white' style. Stretch is not a problem if you are less than 2" from the canopy.
If you don't want to use the big ass MH yet, go down to home dePOT and get another shop light- mount them side by side, right on TOP of the plants. Works like a charm. See Demeter's Garden of Delights under 'grow log'. She runs side-by-side shop lights in veg, and produces MONSTERS for a flouro veg.