Zero help, but burrr you're a zone 2b now?! Makes my teeth chatter just thinking about it;). I remember you saying you were going back to school. Goodluck with everything:).

I have a little bit of experience with lights, so I will try to help you out :)

So, it looks like you have mostly Echeverias (very beautiful by the way), which will need quite a bit of light. I would start maybe 5-6 inches above the plants, and you can adjust from there depending on how the plants look.

As with sunlight and depending on where they were/are before going under lights, I would start little higher and adjust lower after few days or a week - acclimatize to stronger light.

That's right I'm backwards you go to school in Monterey. What a lovely place. Very fond memories for me in Monterey. I bet you can find some nice succulents down there, but I'm guessing you probably have issues with space;).

I'm totally enabling right now, but the Monterey succulent/cactus show is Sept.30&Oct.1. Here's the Link:).

Hate to rub it in Rob, but there's also a San Jose show Oct. 14-15. I'm sure you will be at both shows in spirit:).

Yeah, if I had the money. I'm desabled, probably a dog walker for life. I love California show sales.

I agree with Rina. Start a little far and then being closer up to maybe 10" or less.