OK, Dusto, many do add perlite, and I do sometimes with clones, but overall I can't say it makes a different. One thing that I do try to always do now is add a layer of hydro rocks at the bottom of the pot because it seems to help with drainage. I use 1/2 gallon because it seems to give me a nice 5 to 10% run off and some shoot for more, but I have noticed that some coco nutes who used to say 15 to 20% have lowered it to 10 to 15% and you have to remember that the more you use to water the more nutes you use and the more money those companies make.
Sky Lows/HD carry these gallons of vitamin B that is a nice tool to have in the stable and it is maybe $10 or $20 and is worth every penny IMO.
With setting up your drip when ever that happens I would just get the black tubing from lows, 1/4 or 1/8 in and shoot one or two lines to each plant, meaning you don't need all of the drip heads and so on because they tend to be unnecessary IMO. You can make a manifold that connects all of the lines with PVC piping and drill 1/4 holes or a little smaller throughout it and put your lines in it sealing the lines with aquarium glue or a hot glue gun. You can also get shut off valves for the lines incase you need to regulate the pressure on a particular line that is putting out more water than the others. Of coarse there is more to it, but this is the basic set up. Many sights have diy instructions on setting up drip systems that can give you some good little tips.
Adieu