I find it's easier to set the lights to operating power, (85% in my case) set the hanging height to "stretch + 18" and let the tops gradually grow into the increased lighting.
I set the hanging height to 28" ( typically a 10" stretch + 18" ) at the onset of 12/12. By the time the 10" stretch is done, the hanging height is 18" and readings across the top of the canopy are ~950 PPFD.