you got good ideas, and I think it'll work...I even thought of trying to use those 2.5 gallon containers like beige hydro buckets. filled with perlite on drip...it would take some tweaking, but you could open the drain, and the way jug is shaped...you would have a night-time rez in the bottom...

I might try it with a couple peppers plants...keep it up, peace latewood