Tiz best to up-pot in smaller increments. When you put a seedling into a five gallon pot, it's easy to overwater and nutrient build-up can become a problem. I go from 2 cup, to one gallon, two gallon, then into either three or five gallon pots. (depending on strain)

Mylar is fine. However, with CFL's wall reflectivity isn't a major concern. Flat white paint has never done me wrong, whereas Mylar folds, scratches, and collects overspray drops.

I can only recommend products I use. The Fox Farms Trio is cheap and easy, plus they have a foolproof Weekly Feeding Chart for their products online. I've been using their stuff for about five years now with no plans to change. A one-quart trio lasts me about 6-9 months.

Ingoing water ph should be between 6.3 and 6.8 ph. If you go outside that range, nutrients will start to be locked-out. If you can afford a ph pen, get the calibrating solution, too. If not, a freshwater aquarium ph test kit ($7 or $8 at most pet centers) can help guide your ph, but if broke you can go online and Google your local Water Quality Report. It should tell you what's in the water and it's average ph. Tiz a good place to start.

Rudy: CFL is Compact Fluorescent Light.