DWC is great but can be a colossal pain in the ass!! It can result in higher growth rates and SLIGHTLY higher yields but it can also end badly due to root rot or nute problems.
I run 18 plants under 14 600's. I have had stellar runs and shitty ones. I finally said, you know what, fuck it, going back to ebb and flow.
No chiller, no huge air pumps, no scrubbing 36 air stones, none of that bullshit.
200 gallon Rez, one air stone, and 18 individual buckets. Done.
My buckets are linked together with 3/4" line to the control bucket. Inside those buckets I have another bucket with holes drilled in the bottom. 60% perlite 30% coco and 10% old hydroton and earth worm castings.
Less fuss, substrate is light an easy to manage and gives beneficial bacteria somewhere to live.