This year I'm planning 2 regular plants for a winter grow in a 4x4 tent. I've already ordered potting medium for a winter grow. I'll use a promix/coco medium in autopots. Growing regular seed means it might turn into a no-grow but I find I get more females than males and regular seed and plants grow bigger with regular than other options.
I don't fill the reservoir up to the top when I add water because it would de-oxygenate/ go stale sitting over a week. I add enough water and nutes for 2-3 days. The first few days of a grow I top water while the system wicks up water. After that the autopots take care of water so you never have to wonder if I'm over or under watering. The root development on autopot plants is far better than hand watering in my experience. I've got older models with smaller lines that clog sometimes so my once a day check ( ;-) ) includes making sure water is still getting to the pot bases.
Root development and getting watering right is why I like them. I've bought things for growing that weren't worth it. The autopots have been excellent.
I use clay pebbles in the bottom which give air to the roots. I've grown pure coco and pure promix with autopots. Both work. I don't try to reuse soil because there are too many roots to reuse easily and the cost of new medium that hasn't been used up, infected, etc. isn't worth the time and effort I put into a grow.
Best wishes.
next week.
