As a former "dirt" man myself, I must say that hydro has numerous benefits! Getting going in it can be frustrating at times, but once you lose the "dirt" mentality it is easier and quicker IMHO. I actually do a mix since I still take advantage of mother natures loving care in the great out doors. AND... I still grow the "dirt" pots, since they are tried and true. The biggest setback in my eyes is getting the equipment dialed in and running properly. In hydro I currently use a bucket system of a 5 gallon bucket with a large pot of hydroton and a large rockwool cube nestled in the mix. I have a drip ring that encompasses the perimeter of the cube and have a pump on a timer that waters 6hrs on, six hours off, six on, six off for smaller plants. I use a 3.5gal reservoir with dual airstones in both buckets. Keeping multiple setups in both veg & flower rooms means I only to switch bucket lids with plant to next room when I have a flower spot open for the next buzz worthy plant. Not quite as handy as simply moving a pot, but pretty darn close. In my opinion hydro is cleaner, grows faster and bigger with "higher" yield since the plant is basically given everything it needs without struggling against soil to get it. I can elaborate further, but many threads I am seeing througout this site seem to make this old grower look like a novice!
