Whats the purpose of the inch of space between the nets and the water in the...

Reservoir?

I think it is to give the roots some "breathing" room with ample moisture from the reservoir to not dry up. That being said, I run mine to bottom of net pot the entire grow, except when they drink gallon+ water in 24 hours, then they get about 4-5 inches of gap for brief period.

The best way to get oxygen to the roots is to let the roots hang in the air.

redi jedi said:

The best way to get oxygen to the roots is to let the roots hang in the air.

Click to expand...

So then filling the bucket 3/4 of the way would make sense right?

It could. But something you also have to consider is, the less water in the res means things (PH, ppm) change faster.

You obviously need to make sure the roots don't dry out. Not sure how your system is setup, but the best way imo is one where the water level raises and lowers. You can do this with 2 pumps, or just one pump and gravity. Kind of a bitch to setup, but you don't have to run drip line to each bucket like some systems do - you don't even need to run air-stones to each bucket really.

The splashing from bubbles breaking at the surface is what will keep the roots from drying out.

The main reason why I will keep airstones in my system.

On top of aerating the roots "better,"

it "teases" the roots, the gap between the water and net pot worry the roots and can REALLY effect how they grow.

Lower solution- the more the roots have to reach for moisture
Higher solution- the less they have to work, less stretch

I've personally found with the amount of bubbles im pulling from my current pumps, nets, stones together setting the nutrient level around 3/4" to start with, letting the plant get a nice fresh gulp of nutes- careful though, with high nutes you need more oxygen-shits easy to overdo, they will literally choke.

Then I will let it flutter to about 1 1/2" before I top off with more cal/mag solution.

The trick is finding that sweet spot where you get those BEAUTIFUL, fresh, frosty, fuzzy white shoots, These things are a growers best damn friend right here. Compact root structure is a slight peav of mine and it is in our complete control.

Find your sweet spot, every things going to vary from each person, pump size.. stones.. size of res...so many variables that you just have to dial it in man. Trust me, I NEED to know everything i can about something before I do it, but some things just have to be done to find out.

Sounds way to familiar...bwah..