Yay! There really is a first time for everything. I do know what you mean though. I think I'm going to set up a thread just for this group of plants for the purpose of later comparisons.
Thanks, Pappy! I'm stoked about the whole set up. I checked the TDS of the reservoir today. It's been about a week and a half, and it was only up to 75. I changed out 3 out of 3.5 gallons with distilled water and brought it back down to 19, so it seems that there's really less maintenance to the whole system than I thought there would be. I've got the airstone and heater set up in the reservoir so they come on about an hour before the pump starts. At this point, I only have to open up the box when I feel like it to add ferts to pitchers or top water the pots. It's nice to think that I'll be able to take a vacation next summer and not have to worry about these guys.