You can bring the cfls down to 1/2 an inch.. and you should definitley keep them no farther than 1 inch... they are not droopng because of the lights, you should have a fan blowing.. it doesn't even need to be on the plants... with cfls, you just want the air moving.. no matter how light..

super thrive??? I am not familiar.. but should be fne.. you should start very very light...

cloning is easy... just a little awkward the first time you do it.. nobody like to take a razor blade to their DARLING GIRL!! lol

do you have access to rockwool cubes?
Actually, do you have acess to a hydro store....?
you ideally will have

a razor blade
root gel/power
rockwool cubes
wilt spray

I have a picture diagram that I a making for my next project and it would be cool for you to check it out and see if it works for you.. : )

: ) - SMB