you can begin 12/12 whenever, but it would be ideal to turn the light on when it normally turns on and then take the 6 hours off the end... this is the answer you're looking for. Although it doesnt really matter if you turn your lights on at 8am and turn them off at 4am for veg you could start your flower lights at 6am and turn them off at 6pm... it doesnt matter as much as you think it does