I’m in living soil as well as using the ACI bases in my growth.
1 - I was told by ACI that you should only use plain water as nutes can clog up the lines.
2 - I still PH my water even though I know it’s going to adjust some. But the living soil should regulate that on its own.
3 - I top feed with compost teas once a week. Never to run off because you will flush out the nutrients in the soil. But I do let the bases dry then give it a day or 2 to dry out then top feed with tea until pots are fully watered so almost run off.
4 - I would definitely recommend changing the wicks regularly. I hadn’t changed mine since 7/1 and this week I noticed plants not uptaking water and the pots were dry. My lines were clogged and barely giving water to the base. It also had the one of the worat spoiled smells. And I’m only using water.
5 - you will smell it. Im going to replace mine every 2-3 weeks
6 - soak your lines before filling the bases as it helps the wicking process. Also lift your pots occasionally as I have seen roots growing into the base on others grows. That is the reason I let them go dry before refilling as well tonprevent roots in the base.
Also, I have seen others putting air stones in theirs as well. Which i may do after this grows.
ACI also added this to their site