LOL, put your hand up next to the light, when you get close enough so that it feels uncomfortably hot to you, then it's too close for the plants too. if it's tolerable for your skin, it's tolerable for the plants.

welcome to the board and to growing, do yourself a favor and read the faq's, there is a shitload of info there from the very simple to the very advanced including many DIY projects. then explore the different forums and look for threads designated as 'sticky's', they've earned that designation by being full of helpful info.

if you do that you will answer most of your basic questions yourself and in your own time, you will also earn some respect from the experienced growers here that help all us newbies. imagine, if you will, having to teach 100 people a day how to tie thier shoes and you can imagine how frustrating it might be. i'm not saying that you shouldn't ask questions either man, shit this is me answering one of your questions, i'm just saying that if you do some of your own research, you will ask better questions and get better answers.

anyway, toke amongst yourselves

bozo,
peace, love, dope

ps: don't take this the wrong way, i'm not judging or ranting, but merely suggesting