if its an independent line just for the lights, max it out n put it on a timer w/ 15-30min cushion on each side of your 12/12.
Make sure u got fresh cool air from somewhere tho, and keep that air moving under the lights.... I am running 2 600hps + a 400mh on my light loop w/ a 6" hydrofarm centrifugal fan, still need the portable A/C in the summer if I want max lights... (if i had a chiller I would jack up the CO2 instead n let the room run low 80's but... I dont)
And I promote portable A/C's to anyone doing a grow that can't afford a mini-split.... so much easier to make light tight, and easy to run all year long...
But yea, go max spin on a good inline fan... dont try to make the minimum needed, or to save money... fans are a big component in the grow room environment.
Use your variac on the intake so ur just at the point of maintaining negative pressure against the exhaust, max the lights n exhaust fans.