Don't give up it's all learning. As far as males they were stressed in some way. most likely toxic build up. I was looking closer at your system . I see the idea is to top up with water. Can you post full instructions on that ? I would like to learn more in detail on it. Your in the ball park your just useing a slightly different method. I have phototrons for years , no good for bud but great for veg and clones and mothers. The trons use a closed system useing a type of moss and never change the water, however you could not use any other formula for nutes other than there's or they will die. One is now a bubbler for veg and the other will soon be a bubbler for mothers. Don't give up this is the first year I have had success and it's just getting better.