5 INCHES IS TO CLOSE FOR SEEDS. move the light to .. lets say.... 4 feet from you seeds... SHIT, turn the light off.. start the seeds with a small fluorescent or in a window .... When you do introduce the 500 watt light to the plants start about 4 feet away and move it 6 inches closer every day for 6-7 days..

look forward to seeing the pics

: )