how far should i keep a 125 watt cfl from my 5 inch plants??

well how far??, and can heat stress a plant more on the bottom leafs if the air is very warm but well distributed??

i useda a 125w envirolite for vegging i managed to get mine about 3inches from plants tops worked exelent. but then changed to 125w red spectrum envirolite had to move further away from plants it kept burning tips ov my leaves which in the end i ended up with a stretched popcorny buds so now i use hps better results and envirolites for side lighting...hope this helps

85 and less can get two inches close, I know from experience. Those 105 and 125 watts need to be further, but I have no experience with them. I have read that you should put your hand between the bulb and the plant, touching the plant, and see if it is too hot for your hand to stay there.

As far away as possible and buy yourself a proper light. IMHO.