When dealing with aquarium T5s and actinic bulbs it gets much more complicated. If you are super interested in it, check
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/358190-led-without-leds-my-first.html out.
If your trying to keep it simple, go with something like this if you wanted a 4 bulb.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-FLT24-2-Foot-Fluorescent-System/dp/B002JQBQZQ
The bulbs are much more straighforward(practically the same as CFL growing) and most likely cheaper overall too for the fixture and bulbs.
As for placement of the lighting, 2 inches may be a bit close, but it depends on your setup too. Normally its best to stick between 3"-6", closer the better, you don't wanna have risk of touching the leaves though.
For "vegging" or the first growth stage you can do anywhere from 18 hours light 6 hours dark all the way up to running the lights 24 hours a day. Somwhere inbetween 2.5-5 weeks depending on your strain youll switch the like cycle to 12 light 12 dark and this will force the plant to go into "flowering" which will cause it to start budding.
Im am doing a similar grow to this and if you wanna follow mine to see what works/doesnt work check it out.
https://www.rollitup.org/indoor-growing/520445-first-grow-blue-dream-w.html
-C.C.K
