My veg room is 5x12, I have 9 5gal pails hooked up at one end and all my clones at the other end. Clones spend 2 to 3 weeks under T5's than on to the 1000w over bubble cloner for another 2 weeks, than into 12 inch net pots for 3 to 4 weeks under a 1000w. Not surprised about the fan effect on the plants, the movement makes the plant stronger, I have fans running 24/7 just for that purpose, they need to be strong to support the buds and that's how they do it outside.
Having the plants close together will cause stretching, competing for light. The plants can tell when they are getting to close together and trigger the reach for the top. I also found that starting the plants under the biggest light you got works wonders, that's why the 1000w.