U dont have to water from the top as long as U place ur water level @ or a lil above the bottom of the pot. I have 4 8 inch stones in mine on 2 pumps. Bubble penetration forces plenty enuff water up into the rock and keeps it "moist" Not WET. They will look damp.
Ive told people in the past to take it easy on the water until they get a feel for it. I suggest sometimes to water from the top only to help people out in not damaging or prolonging seedlings and clones.THey like air at this stage.
Once my Roots pop out and begin growing down or into the water I back my water off to 1/2 inch below the pots.
I begin feeding when they hit the water.
I do not place my clones in the cup in the dark. Never had to. They get placed directly on the side of the mom right after the Cut,Scrape, And dip process.
However, I just attemted a method of another grower here using upside down peat plugs.A nursery tray, A horticultural heat mat and a dome and acquired 100% success. The clones in the dome OLD in the ways style actually cloned quicker.Im addopting his method to keep my tubs full. This method does require 12 hrs of darkness before hitting lights and u dont dome them or place them on the mat until they are ready for light.
I would suggest anyone tho, To get a lil practice with the cup first, Learn what to expect and get some confidence in cloning before trying a more difficult Method.
In the end its all really simple. I used to make it alot harder than it should be.
Hope that helps bro.
And it not a problem we all goof of alot but we are all here to help.