New top drip setup. Weighing pros and cons on different mediums

what's up everyone? I did one hydro grow in the past. I did a recirculating top fed system in 2 gallon pots of hydroton. Transplanted 3x3 rock wool into hydroton and that was it. Fed a couple times per day. I am looking to do a new setup. Sticking with top drip, but I am trying to figure out if I want to do them in rock wool. Veg in say 4 or 6 inch blocks. Then sit that block on a bigger one for flower. Put a dripper in each block. So two for each plant. I have read up on somebody who does this with good success. My other option is doing the same setup I had previously mentioned doing in the past. I'm open to any other options as well just looking for what will give me best opportunity for a great grow. I know a good setup doesn't mean a successful grow. I know that environment, lights, nutrients, everything plays a role. I'd like to avoid coco if possible because I don't want deal with the mess it can be. I have a 4x8 hydro tray that I will be using. 2 600w hps lights for flower. Metal halide for veg. A 424 cfm inline fan to use for intake or ventilation. Whichever ends up being better option. Unsure on what nutrients to use yet. I did advanced nutrients last time. Which is very pricey. But im open to trying a new line, one that isn't heavy on salts so I don't clog up my feed lines. So that's the gist of what I'm working with and looking to do. Ideally I would like to be able to do 18-24 plants on this tray. Would like to pull an ounce or more from each plant. Once I am happy with my results I'm going to expand into 2 flowering trays and 1 veg tray. With a small seperate area to keep clones coming in steady.
I appreciated any feedback and recommendations experienced growing are willing to share.
Thanks in advance

Can anybody help out? Any tips would be great. Thanks

why are you looking to change?

i do drain to waste hempy buckets. why? so that i can go away on vacation and not have to worry about them.

there are many growing methods. which ones look interesting to you?

rkymtnman said:

why are you looking to change?

i do drain to waste hempy buckets. why? so that i can go away on vacation and not have to worry about them.

there are many growing methods. which ones look interesting to you?

Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply rkymtnman. Much appreciated. I'm not saying I have to switch methods. I was just looking for some input on if there is a better route to take with this setup. Last time was my first hydro setup so I think I was a little hesitant with watering frequency and nutrients. I didn't want to overdue it. However I think that is what cost me in the end. I did not end up with the yeilds I was hoping to achieve. I should have been watering more frequently. So my real question is would you recommend to stick with this type of setup. 3x3 Rockwool cubes in 2 gallon pots of hydroton. Set to be watered/fed on a drip system. 2 stakes per plant as I get into flower possibly. I got 2 600w lights. Any nutrient recommendations as well.
Thanks again.
Happy to hear all input

Trying to gather some knowledge on drip systems and although my setup is not the same as ya'll are discussing, you guys seem pretty knowledgeable so I was hoping to get some feedback. going to run a single water farm top drip bucket as an experiment in hydro. medium will be hydroton. I know that hydroton bears no resemblance to coco or rw, but I saw it mentioned above so I wanted to ask what your feed cycles were. Just talked to a guy who said he had his on all the time and I've heard others say that they use on/off cycles. any suggestions ?