I run mine with 18/6 light time, I use my regular hard water (unsoftened, and never distilled!). I put in the water a small amount of house and garden root excelerator, and a drop per gallon of superthrive. The first couple of days are really important to check and keept he ph below 6.0. It will stabolize in a few days. Early roots in 7 days, I pull them with 6" roots in 14 days. Mine go directly into hydroton in my ebb and grow systems.
Since I need them to be able to take my 1000 watters, I put the cloner in the veg room, closer and closer to the lights. I always spray them with Wilt Pruf. That stuff is the shit!!!!!!! I've been using it forever.
Once they go into the system, it's game on baby. Full light, and full CO2 at 1500 ppms.