If cheap is the main factor, I would not do hydroponics. By the time you get done buying what you really need to be successful, you will be far past a few containers and dirt. For example, a ECC/PH meter, baskets, media, air hose, air pump, air stone, and nutrient solution. vs. Containers and dirt. If you just want to get started in hydro, then I would start off growing cheap, easy vegetables like lettuce, herbs and hot peppers. I say cheap because they are fairly easy to grow, and they do not use a lot of water and nutrients. Tomatoes are fun to grow, but use lots of space, water and nutrients. If you want super easy hydro, do a wick or static system where the lid of your Tupperware container becomes the "saucer" under the pot. Just take the Tupperware lid, flip it upside down, then put your Tupperware container on the lid. Fill the lid with water, and viola, static hydroponic system (you would need to put holes in the bottom of the container of course). For media you can use Perlite, and you would not need any baskets. Just fill the tub with Perlite, and your ready to grow. Also this way you can grow carrots, potatoes, green onions etc.

You should look at secret jardin or the homebox .. I have a secret jardin that I use for starting all of my flowers and veggies. Keeps the garage tidy and helps keep all my light on my plants too. ::chris

Sorry, I didn't pay attention to where you live. I don't believe it is available in Australia. oops You will be much happier having a EC and Ph meter. Alot less unknowns in the equation. Your macro percentages actually sound really good for a healthy tomatoe production. You mentioned that it is a three part. Would it be a micro, grow, and bloom for each solution. If so remember to always add the micro first to your stock solution. No chance of percipitation. When you get your pH meter try maintaining a lower pH. (5.8) Over the years we have been doing much better at these slightly lower levels. For one, Phosphorous is much more available at the lower levels. Is your new fan for an exhaust or intake application? It sounds like you have plenty of O2 in your system, and changing your solution is a great idea. There is also products designed flushing your system. They rebalance the osmotic potentional in your root zone. Kind of a band aid for your root system. They can also be used at the very end of a cycle to flush the plants of any excess nutrients built up in the plant. Just something to think about. Let me know how it goes after you change your solution.

I have transplanted many species and in many ways from hydro to soil (just for information purpose). In your particular case, I wouldn't even try to get them out of the cups, but transplant them with the cups. But to insure later root expansion, use cutting pliers, to carefully cut the cup in half (from both sides) vertically in several steps between holes. No need to fully cut it open in case this may look difficult or not be possible. I would ONLY remove it completely IF i could do so without even stressing plants and roots. The remaining cup doesn't do any harm or cause any trouble if cut open as described. Mostly I use a two step method. Firstly the strong and healthy transplant goes to a smal pot with a mix of perlite, some coarse sand, coco ships (washed) and while I use rice hulls here as well, you would use more perlite instead - and finally only 10-15% of potting mix and just a pinch of compost. After transplant you irrigate with the same nutrient solution you used previously. A little weaker or same strength, both are fine. Just be careful about not overdoing it and end up with "wet feet"... Nutrients don't need to be fresh all along, it could be second hand or alternatively used solution later on. From there, after a few weeks or so, as soon as roots have accommodated and taken in the transitory mix, you may transplant to a bigger or final pot - or soil. Here you use your preferd potting mix I suppose. If transplanting to actual soil, you may use some more of your "special mix media", to create another transition zone on site. You may also use nutrient solution as a fertilizer for some more time. Good luck with the... what are they now, Capsicum galapagoense, Capsicum baccatum var. praetermissum, tovari, lanceolatum? Btw: If you have got Capsicum galapagoense, I wouldn't mind getting some seeds by occasion, as I loved them but have no viable seeds left since a while ;-)