Should i increase dark cycle?

(1st grow) I'm into the 5th week of flower on my BDS Papaya seeds in a top drip hydroponic setup with 600w hps. I've about exhausted my growing space. Most of my stalks have been LST and I'm looking for some suggestions.

The two females are on a 12/12 light cycle. Should I increase my dark period so I don't stress the plants out from heat stress or should I continue the 12/12? I'm looking for a moderate yield with potency.

Suggestions are much appreciated! Thanks

I WOULD CONTINUE THE 12/12,r u concerned about to much u do have a fan and or gd ventilation

wow that's a freaking jungle in there.... I'd raise the light if you can (probably not huh?)
and leave it 12/12 they should be done stretching
maybe some closer pics too....i don't see much budz going on for 5 weeks

Your in your 5th week of flower?
Where are your Buds??????
I don't think there flowering.

Trim your roots that will slow shoot growth.
Nice thing about hydroponics you can prune shoot, and root.

It's Indica from what I'm reading about it at the seed bank

Yeah you should have buds developing nicely at this point. Have you checked you dont have light leaks.

Yeah, they are very immature. I put them into flower at the end of the 6th week of veg knowing that their size would be an issue. They didn't develop sexually until the 2nd week of flower. I believe there isn't any light leaks, they're in an area of total darkness when the hps light is off.

I'll look for a video on trimming roots being my first time at it.

This is the sizes of the buds so far...

I hate to say it, but those dont even look like theyre budding.. Im not even seeing blooming pistils like my 3 week flowering plants... really not sure how to help as im only on my second flower.

I was thinking week 2, mark your calendar for @ least 6 more week's.Need to raise that light til it's just warm on your skin @ bud Height. They need a fan too or they will be hanging when the bud's do get fatter.

unless it is sativa dominant that has 12-16 weeks of flower,you are very behind in flower,also do you mean 5 weeks after the flip?usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to see them budding..