listen bro i am deff.no expert but i was just like you i had germ issues and it drove me up the wall i will tell you one thing tho if money is not real tight go on ebay or to a hydro store and buy a 60 dollar 3-6 bulb(min-max) t5 set up get a humidity dome and tray for like 10 bucks soak your seeds for 24hrs or until sinks in PH water soak you RRP in PH water gently squeeze out till just damp(no extra germ process needed) plant seed directly into rapid rooter plugs pull piece from side and cover hole(hole is already made in the plug so plant seed and cover up) set the t5 on 24/7 and keep close to the dome as possible keep the humidity dome moist and 2-3 days later you will have healthy seedlings(the heat mat is a plus but i dont have one) just my
hope it helps any... (spray the humidity dome with spray bottle) all this info came from +rep people such as MUDDY AND JOE DIRT and many more....
and if push comes to shove just 2 24watt t5's will be enough to germ 5-6 seedlings thats what im using on my first grow and they are growing just fine