It sounds like you're having problems with growing seedlings and not with sprouting seeds. Is that right, or is it both?

Right, just the growing part. So far I've achieved great germination rates but terrible growth.

To me that looks like too little calcium and magnesium for a soil less mix. I know the pine bark fines tend to eat up nitrogen and calcium similar to coca. Any idea on the ppm and ph of the nutrient solution you are giving them? Ph of the soil less mix?

800 watt grow light? I know they make 400w lights, are you running two? Might have better results running one then adjusting to the 800.

How far along do they get before looking bad? Look back and think of anything you did before they turned. Temps correct, i know grow tents can get hot. Distant of light from plants? Possible pest issue? Watering schedule? Air circulation? Humidity inside tent?

There are alot of variables and can all be controlled to an extent that growth can be effected negatively or positively. The needs of a plant can be found in many tutorials so a little reading can help a ton at narrowing down what your issue is. Plenty of seed starting guides and grow guides out there that you can follow exactly if your techniques are not working or not wanting to narrow down your problems.

I don't have my pH meter yet, otherwise I would've tested those parameters. The pH of the soil-less mix should be between 5.5 and 6.5, assuming I mixed it correctly (added garden lime to increase pH).
As for the grow light, it is a single COB LED fixture with four 200 W chips. I had only half of the light running previously and that didn't seem to make a difference, so I went to 2. I was also told that my light would cover the area of my grow tent. The lights are probably 4 feet away. I think this should be plenty close given the reflective mylar that lines the tent.
There seem to be a multitude of places in which the seedlings begin to look bad. Some sprout, then begin looking brown. Others get a first set of real leaves, then wilt. I'll admit, I should've been paying more attention to the timeline, but I wasn't anticipating having this much trouble.

What do people think about the following germination procedure?

1. Soak pepper seeds for a few hours in warm water.
2. Place pepper seeds in small containers with drainage holes, which are filled with gritty mix. Cover with a light dusting of peat moss.
3. Place containers in a tray with a humidity dome and heat mat until seeds germinate. Then, remove the dome and heat mat.
4. Transplant seedlings to 5:1:1.

When the seeds sprout do you keep them under the dome/tent? If so that's probably the cause of the brown spots. the domes/tents are good for keeping the soil moist but after seedlings sprout its best to remove them from the dome and get them under lights. That's been my experience. And all the other advice is good to follow too.

Your problem might be covering with peat which has a base PH of about 4...

Another thing about gritty mix is it needs to be mixed, watered and sit for 2 weeks for the lime to start working and balance the PH.

At what time do you add fert and at what strength? You might be overwatering (i know hard to do in gritty mix) causing bacterial disease dampen off. Are you using tap water? If so any idea on its quality? Ppm, ph, chlorine, Chloramine?

If you have access to a flourecent light be it shop light or cfl it might be worth a try using them to narrow down if lighting could be your issue. Ive found some LED's to be troublesome and best is to go back to tried n true proven lighting.

You haven't mentioned temps yet...what are you getting air temp and mix temp?

The furthest along you have made it in the growth soo far? 2/3/4/5 sets of true leaves? Weeks/months?

Pics of plants at their different stages of growth could help alot if you have any.

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

And I'll post more details in the morning!

I see just one seedling with fertilizer burn looking tips. IThat could have came from a seed pod not wanting to shed. IIm not sure how old these are but they don't look too bad off to me.

Why so many per container, the less transplanting the better. I put 2-3 seeds per yougart cup then either split or cull them and transplant to a solo cup and usually they stay in the cup until transplanted into their final pot.

It looks like they may be getting too much water and/or humidity. What is the air temperature? Seedling need heat and humidity to sprout but they need cooler, dryer conditions to thrive after that. I would put them in individual pots and make sure there is good air circulation.