Question about clones into net pots

I recently did my first batch of clones. Success was 5 out of 6, but the one that died wasnt so well in the first place. I used a pump and misters homemade aero. My aeroponic system, however, uses 5 inch net pots, good stability for the plant later on. They will be 4 to 5 feet tall. My clones roots are an inch long or so, and they are not in any medium rite now. I wanted to transplant into the big pots, so i filled them up with hydroton and put them in the system. My problem is, i didnt see the middle of the hydroton getting wet. Im afraid if i put them in they will die of dryness. Anybody have a technique to transplant into these huge pots? O and i think it mite be because of the super tiny holes in the pot. PLEASE HELP ME i need to get them going as soon as possible

Hydroton does an especially great job of pulling moisture up when the bottom is getting wet. It may only need some time before it does just that.

If you move the top layer or two off is the middle down pretty saturated?

No, none of it. Im thinking of just using the 3 inch pots since they work so much better

Why not increase the amount of nutrients that are reaching the cups?

no water is going anyways