So simple, you'd think it doesn't really matter.... Cause it doesn't. You're over complicating this
I stopped looking at my roots when I started flower. I just water change from the res I don't mess with the plant at all anymore. I was supposed to change water for this light cycle but I slept in. I topped it up with nutrients instead and I'll get to it when lights are out. I'm too tired to do it now lol.
I am not sure what you mean but I piped my water farm to an external res and it's always circulating. I used 1/2 inch pipe all round and it's not fat enough for gravity to equalize the water level so I have it restricted to a low flow. I have new 1.5 inch fittings and pipe, and a second water farm for next grow too so I'll have 1/2 the flow per bucket and should be able to run my water pump full blast. I hope anyway, then I can add a waterfall into the res.
It was on 24h before. I think for big plants less time is much better. I am sure 5 minutes will work well too but my timer works in 15 minute chunks.
Deep cycle timers are cheap.
Can you link me to a timer? I had a hard time finding a mechanical one that breaks an hour into 4 parts let alone go down to 5 minutes. My digital timers can but they only have 10 slots to program. I am getting some wifi smart timers but they are for my lights and I am not sure if I can time it like you recommend. I do think your timing schedule is better. Once I get the smart ones I'll see if I need what you recommend for a timer.
When I search that I don't see any "deep cycle" timers. Just regular timers some of which I have. I have BUT as I was checking a few out to see if they do that, a different kind of timer was in the adds. It's called a short cycle repeat timer! I think it is what you are talking about and I love it! Thank you!! Lol.