20 years ago i started growing using an emilies garden by hydro farm,, couldve built it cheap but it was how i learned. it was a tub with a cover w/ 6 4'' square holes for square pots, just airated water in tub and the pots were filled w/grow rocks but with a felt wick to pull water up to the plant that was in a 1.5'' rockwool cube..its called nutrient film tec, but same as a wick system.Anyways i must say it worked great i grew massive plants that were better than any weed i could buy at that time..great way to learn hydo or get ur feet wet so to speak...but it was a great learning expierience and i learned all the basics to hydro..since then ive moved on and built my owne ebb n flow trays, NFT buckets, DWC buckets and now im growing in a home made DWC, recirculating system built using 4'' pvc and 3.75'' net pots.. Anyways if your asking about wick systems, they are in my opinion a great way to get into hydro and learn the basics, ph, ec, airation, how to know your plants if their happy or not..but if your looking for production and know all the basics, build yourself a DWC, OR AIRO grow both have their pro's n con's i personally like DWC as its cheaper to build and no worries of clogged jets, pluss if you need to go on vacation or somthing you can set it on a timer and leave it alone for up to 2 weeks and not have to worry about them wile your away..then you just come home to an overgrown area as somtimes the plants can double to triple in height and width in 2 weeks in veg or flower..hope that helps,,