Eagerbvr: I think we all have our own way of doing things. This is how I was taught and it works for me. I'm assuming that you're starting with a seedling emerging from a grow pod or block of rock wool held in place with Hydroton. Initially, set the water level to the bottom of the next pot, but not submerged. I maintain a lot of turbulence in the reservoir, both in circulation from a pump and plenty of air bubbling up from stones below.
At this point I do something a little different than most. I plumb a top feed line from the pump in the reservoir with a drip irrigation line that I plug into the side of the net pot about a quarter of an inch below the lip at about the level of the top of the grow pod. This top feeds the seedling while its roots are getting established. I do this until its' roots reach the lower level of the net pot where it can start drinking on its own from the wet Hydroton. I'm an ex-Aerogardener, the self contained, table top growing system, and I also copied that idea from Stealth Hydro's video at their web site.
When you start seeing roots emerging at the bottom of the net pot start dropping the water level. Less than an inch at first and then continuously to encourage further root growth down into the reservoir. It probably sounds like I'm mistreating my babies, but I'm not. A well oxygenated mist of bubbles coming up keeps the Hydroton wet and does a lot to encourage root growth. It's the carrot and the stick plan.
Once the roots reach the reservoir you can get rid of the top feeder and they'll actually grow faster. I only use six gallons of nutes in my ten gallon Sterilite bubble tubs and it makes my plants work for their dinner. Just like they do growing into the sub soil in nature. You might want to consider this. I hope this helps. HSA
