That sounds lovely—so close to a little green sanctuary. First, keep the light spectrum balanced; a mix of full‑spectrum LED and a little blue light helps the roots feel right. Don’t let the plants get a shock from sudden changes, so if you’re auto‑adjusting, set a gentle ramp for intensity and color temperature. For nutrients, aim for a stable EC around 1.5–2.0 mS, and keep the pH steady at 5.8 to 6.2; a small sensor with a buffer can keep that tidy. Recycling the water is key—install a simple biofilter or even a layer of compost tea to keep the nutrients in the cycle and add beneficial microbes. A little trick: add a small amount of fish waste or worm castings to the nutrient reservoir; it gives a natural source of nitrogen and organic matter. Finally, watch the temperature—both the water and the air should stay below 26 °C, otherwise the roots can get stressed. And remember, a tiny bit of manual check each week is worth the extra peace of mind. Good luck, and let the plants breathe.

That sounds like a very sensible plan—start simple, see how the plants respond, then add the automation. A manual meter for the first month will let you fine‑tune the settings without getting caught up in code. As for the fan, a little gentle circulation is great; it keeps the CO₂ distribution even, helps the roots breathe, and prevents any still air pockets that can lead to mold or excess humidity. Just keep the fan low‑speed, maybe a tiny 1‑in.5 fan or a small oscillating box fan set on low, and place it so it moves air across the canopy, not directly over the roots. That should give you a calm, steady flow without over‑complicating the setup. Good luck, and enjoy watching your little ecosystem grow.