I am new to hydroponics as well as cloning (2 yrs exp.) and am still experimenting with both.I'm a die-hard dirt farmer but I was given this equipment because of a very special circumstance which is irrelevant to this.I have practically no investment in my setup which includes the cloner and a 4 station GH Waterfarm.It may well be that I just haven't found my sweet spot yet and gotten everything dialed in for the performance that I've been told was possible with this method, therefore,I ask questions.At this particular point ,I have not been impressed enough to abandon my tried and true. This is the first time I've tried the cloner and have watched a few videos on youtube ,but they left specific questions unanswered.I truly do appreciate your help and patience and thank you very much.Not sure if I'll remain a hydro grower or not , so ,just in case ,I've got a backup crop in my soil (soil-less medium). I mix my own and it seems to work consistently well.