i tried hydro before soil...BIG MISTAKE...the plant grew fine and i did everything right but its so much work......Soil is so much easier.....just water, light, timer, nutes DONE.. Hydro - change water/nutes, constantly measure PH, keep water temp down, pumps, tubes, airstones...too much nonsense.....it doesnt cut down your grow time to much. Soil is so easy and you get a great product the only draw back is their is alot of dirt around.