30+ years ago i actually started by hydroponics, way before most knew what the hell they were doing. I found it to be too "hot" and unforgiving- anotherwards, 1 screw up and the crop is lost or seriously compromised. So my beginning, on a very large scale (well over 800 plants indoors ), was using a system bought out of CA of 8 inch pipes with plastic cups sitting in the pipes exposing the roots thru a hole in the bottom of the cup. The pumps kept burning out the relays but overall worked well, until a major bust and I lost everything. Including my prized N.L. 5 X 2 mother from Nevils stock.
So I moved on to pro-mix, since it was readily available. I ran an 800+ acre organic farm for a while, then became a general mgr. of a large group of garden centers, and it was easy and cheap to grab bales when I need them. I find it forgiving, and only need to add perlite and lime to get up and operating. Now the Premier stuff (pro-mix manufacturer) comes with the myco's for a bit more money, and it's just so damn easy.
I'm currently in 4 gallon pots, not 5 as the extra gallon wasn't necessary for a 3 1/2 month grow. I make approx. 15 gallons r.o. water every 2 days, and use it all up in the room each watering, currently 23 plants. If I watered more, I could probably stretch it to watering every 3 days. But I like the fact I'm in with the plants a lot, looking, touching, cleaning, etc......it doesn't take long for things to go sour.
I wanted to add that I do not over water the pots, I like to have the roots stretch for their feeding. So many people overwater, and think they have to run off 25% (or whatever) out the bottoms- just not necessary IMO.
I tried coir bricks, and I liked them, but I had to purchase and have them shipped in. I'd say my success rate was the same between the pro-mix and coir, price wise the coir ended up more money if you add if shipping. I do not reuse anything, which I guess can be an option for both mediums. But you have left over ferts, bugs, eggs, etc. in leftover stuff and I'd rather just pay the cash to start fresh, rather than have to flush out the mediums which can be a pain in the ass. The perlite also breaks down over time, and it's difficult to really know how much salt (fertilizer) and lime is still in the medium.
Lastly, I just have my method down so down pat, K.I.S.S. if you know what I mean. I'm 62, and it's getting to be a bitch mixing up the soil, and carrying it down stairs to the basement each crop. I've mentioned to the wife that I'd like to switch to hydro again. But my 1.2 acre lawn loves it when I spread the old soil around, and my neighbor loves using it in his garden. So for now, it's pro-mix for me.