Those are lookin good man! My grow is pretty much the same thing, with bagseed and cfl's.

In the last days of flower the buds are as big as they are gonna get, 3 days of dark is gonna boost the thc a little bit and I don't think it will hurt so I would give it a try.

As far as the lower buds, might just be cost of doing business. Experiment a little, cut down all the best plants and then just take the good buds from 1 plant and see what happens to those lower sites. The only thing I can think of is you may risk bud rot in them, but it wouldnt hurt to find out.

I was reading earlier in the grow about the discoloration in your seedlings. I had the same problem. It turned out to be to high of ph, like around 7/7.5. just to know for next time.

Thats my 2 cents, and im now where near the guru you were lookin for but I know some things. peace