few dwc questions, your advice greatly appreciated

have a few questions about a dwc, so here they are:

#1 - regarding the size of the tub, what is recommended? Is there a big difference advantage to using 14 gal rubbermaid tubs vs the 10 gal ones?

#2 - when you cut the holes in the top of the tub, is the idea to make the hole just slightly smaller than the TOP (the open end) of the pot, so that the whole pot except the lip at the top is inside the bucket? how much of the pots should be submerged in the water? (ie, should the water just barely touch the bottom of the pots, or go 2 inches up the bottom of the pots, or what?)

#3 - using 10 or 14 gal rubbermaid tubs, with 2 plants per tub, how much yield can be expected per plant? ballpark figure?

#3b - how many of these 2-plant-each tubs can 1 400w HPS light reasonably handle? what about a 600w?

#4 - what growing medium do you guys recommend for in the net pots? have heard so many conflicting stories. hydroton seems popular but a lot of people report issues with it. suggestions?

#5 - why do the airstones (well the air pumps) need to be on timers? have heard that 1 minute on / 5 minutes off is the general standard for this. why not just leave them on constantly?

#6 - nutes - can anyone please recommend good nutes for this system, like really specific... have done a ton of reading but everything is fairly vague ie they suggest what NPK ratios to look for but not exactly what product to buy and how much to use. need firm guidance.

thanks a lot, don't have a lot of posts yet but have been reading up for a long time here.

welcome to the wonderful wet word of hydro.

1- Since you will be changing your water every 2 weeks or sooner the 14 gallon ones just take more water and nutes to run. I think a waste. 10 gallon for 2 plants is fine.

2- Yes cut the hole slightly smaller than the netpot. So it doesn't fall through.
Netpots never go under water. Water level should be just under the netpot with bubbles from the airstone splashing on it.

3- That's a good question. I have no idea.
Really it is strain dependant and how well you treat them and light. How long you veg and how big they get will be the end factor.
In a ten gallon tub, drip system with 6 netpots 3 inches each we have gotten over 12 oz's. 1 month for veg 2 months flower. Under a 1000 HPS.

4- About 4 ten gallon tubs. Maybe 6 under the 600 HPS.

5- latewoods legacy with General Hydroponics 3 part nutes. There is a sticky thread in the hydro section. All beginners should try that first. With some cal mag plus if your water needs it. If you don't quite get it just ask we will break it down. No since in all the add ons untill you get a few grows under your belt.

You can get by with out a TDS/EC meter BUT and this is a big BUT.

You need a PH meter. It is vital to good health of your plants. When PH is kept with in the limits you need for hydro most everything else comes easy. Kind of. PH 5.2 to 5.8.

Hope this helps and keep reading and asking questions.

thanks!! do you think it's better to do 2 largish plants in each 10gal tub or many (like 6) smaller plants?