Quote Originally Posted by anbesol
water every other day, using seed starter soil, in 4 inch pots, plants are about 5 inches tall. the soil does get dry but i water if it looks dry and feels it
Watering depends on the type of soil you're using, drainage of the pot and amount of other material to help with drainage (perlite or vermuculite). And other misc things (amount of humidity, amount of air circulation, rate of transpiration by the plants.)

With that said water when the soil looks/feels dry, but doesn't feel like dust.

You want to Let the plants get fairly dry between waterings.

I'd be willing to bet that you have over watering or some poor drainage. Try watering less often or making your drain holes bigger in your pot. Or add some more.

If you are talking about after the lights go out then this is fine. Plants are sleeping.

I ran 24/0 for a while and found they did this in 24 hour lighting as well as in 18/6.