Hydroponics Overcrowding

Hey guys, I have a question about Hydroponic Plant Spacing. I am currently creating a DWC ( bubbleponics style ) system. I am using 5 1/2" net pots.

Each Tote is a 18 gallon Rubbermaid ... size is 18"x24" ( 4 plants per tote )

Yesterday I drilled out holes and placed my pots. My only issue is site placing. How much room should each plant have if I plan on doing a SOG ( i will be cloning ... veging till 8 - 10" and then putting into 12/12 ... box is 6 feet tall. 12 sq ft.

Curently my pots all have 4 inches between each. Is this enough? How should I maintain the plants? Should I lilpop.

Thank you all.

From the size tote you described and only 4 plants, they should have more space between then and that wouldn't be a sog. What am I missing?

will draw up a picture to add.

semi pics.

I've read people usng .5 sqft per plant in straight clone flowering. I've also seen people use 1 sq ft per plant and do a week veg. However my question is why are you staggering the plants that way. IMO it would be better to have them as close to equidistant to each other as possible. They will fill the space naturally. With 4 inches between plants an an attempt to veg yes you will have to lollipop. That isn't even half a sqft. I haven't done SOG myself, but from my thinking you're a bit mixed up

An overcrowded garden is a bad thing to have it is much better to have less plant numbers and no overcrowding. You will pull more total that way.

Reason I staggered them was so I could push the totes close together. If i put the pots in very corners then I must space totes even further apart which makes them not fit in the box very well.

I tried my darndest to find a huge square 3x3 tote that would work, but couldnt find anything .

bump - Bump - Bump

No one is able to answer this question or shed light? Cmon guys, I know there is atleast 1 person on this site that can point me in the right direction... i guess I will +rep anyone who answers my question.