The 33 gallon tub is just a grow box. I plan to stick another container inside this one to grow. The plant roots I have growing outside don't seem to mind the sun. You just need to worry about the roots drying out. That is certain death.

As far as transplanting from soil to hydro, it works. Just rinse all the dirt off before sticking plant into the hydro unit. I've also added a picture of my lettuce with bubblers. The lettuce was started in dirt and transplanted to hydro as seedlings.