Ah, I get what you're talking about! Yeah, I haven't set up a hydro grow yet. I'm thinking of that soon though. Right now it's still soil until I save up some money for the switch over. That will likely be my next harvest. I might also grab another 400 wt HPS.
The pots are off the floor so that's not an issue. I was going to invest in some smart pots and have a 50% perlite mix into the soil for better air circulation. I am considering a small hydro set up as well. Space is a slight issue since it's a closet grow that is 5ft X 1 1/2 ft and about 8 ft...
I've been growing since I had a stroke that put me on my back about two years ago. My first was 5 auto blue mystics under a 125 CFL lamp in 1/2 pots (really plastic bowls I repurposed). Out of those five plants I got 11 grams. Sad I know but I was super new. Now I have had a little practice...