this is what i have done :
Veg - 16 Light & 8 Dark
Flower - 12 hours Light & 12 hours Dark.
The one thing that is vital is air flow, i only have a few plants going at a time so i just have a normal fan going (at all times if i can manage it) to begin with i didnt have any type of fan going, and using a HPS, it obviously creates alot of heat, so a fan realy made a difference.
the best way to learn is by trail & error. use the best soil you can get (if youre not doin a hydro).
dont water to regularly so the roots can spread
& enjoy it, my two girls have about 5 weeks of flowering left, and i have loved every moment of growing em
so enjoy it
(mashed sorry for going on)