Damping Off and various germination problems

Have been reading this list serve for a year - first post and Hi everyone.
This is also my first year to attempt seed germination and am not having a 
lot of luck. Have decided after reading these posts the soil was too damp. 
(thought about trying the fan idea, but if you're using a dome that won't 
help!

  Literature says impatiens require almost 100% humidity, so used trays with 
clear domes, but most damped off.  Also was using bottom heat for initial 
germination and ended up with tall spindly seedlings (moss roses) which never 
progressed to true leaves.  I read a balance of light and heat is required, 
or spindly growth results.  Guess that was the problem.  I have several trays 
which germinated nicely 1-2 weeks ago, but have yet to see any true leaves on 
ANYTHING.  (moss roses, cleome, bachelor buttons, tomatoes).

So, the questions I have are:  Do you recommend bottom heat?  Use of clear 
domes?  How long does it take for true leaves to appear once germination 
happens?  I guess this whole process is trickier than it sounds.  I have a 
light set-up, but thought it was supposed to be used after true leaves 
appear.  Any help anyone can give will be appreciated.
Nita
Zone 5

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