proper type of hydro for vegging

hi im extremely new to hydro, in fact i have just decided i want to switch from soil to hydro. i think i'm going to do either DWC or Ebb N Flow for flowering whichever is cheaper and more space efficient (its a 2'10 x 3'6 closet grow). i am going to have like 12 plants flowering at a time probably or 6 plants every 4 weeks. since i am going to have a smaller veg chamber i cant have dwc or ebb n flo and even if i could make it work i dont have money for another setup. so i wanted to do just some pots and some soilless medium or something like that. would perlite/vermiculite mix hold water about as long as soil does? or are there any mediums better or more efficient than that mix?
thanks,
-snocap
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