First time hydro setup, need answers

[Gobwats]

I am setting up my first hydro garden, a combination deep water culture/drip system (similar to what Stealth Hydro is marketing.) I am using a 31 gallon Rubbermaid container and 6in net pots with a spacing of 9 inches one way and 13 inches the other (between centers.) My biggest question at the moment is how full should I fill the reservoir? Should the solution come all the way up to the bottom of the baskets, or should there be some air space there? Seems like I read somewhere to leave a few inches, but I'll be damned if I can find anything related to it now that I really need the info.

Also, I'm guessing that I will be looking at somewhere around 20 gallons of nutrient solution in the tub, how important is changing the water weekly if you keep a check on the pH and TDS/EC?

Thanks

[SmokeyMcBlunt]

For newly rooted seedlings and clones, bring the water level all the way up to submerge the new roots. Once the roots are well established into the water (will take several days at least), you can leave an inch or two of roots exposed at the surface. Id suggest a smaller tub than 31gal tho if it's only two plants.

[Gobwats]

Going to be 4 plants (hope my luck with sprouting all females holds out), and doing it on the cheap I decided to go with what I already had around the house (the 31 gallon container.) I'll have drip tubes running up to each basket (a clone of the SH model, only much better), and if I have done my research correctly that runs continuously until the roots make it into the water below; after that my research says to cycle the drip off and on. I was pretty sure I had read somewhere about leaving some air space (for O2 uptake?) between the bottom of the basket and the water level, but could not find it now that I am at the point of getting it all going. Thanks for the input.

Originally Posted by SmokeyMcBlunt

For newly rooted seedlings and clones, bring the water level all the way up to submerge the new roots. Once the roots are well established into the water (will take several days at least), you can leave an inch or two of roots exposed at the surface. Id suggest a smaller tub than 31gal tho if it's only two plants.

[SmokeyMcBlunt]

The drip portion isn't necessary. Its a gimmick, really. Just go with a plain DWC setup and your plants will be fine. Couple of airstones and thats it. No use making it more complicated than it needs to be. Plus, the water pump will heat the water up and could damage the roots.