2x4 Ebb table and 20 gallon res setup questions?

First time ebb table user here and have a few questions. I got a 2x4 white xtray flood tray and a 20 gallon res for it. 250 gph pump and Got a 4 in air stone for oxygenation. using 6 in square black pots and hydrotron pellets. Have tray on stand and have the one end a little higher than the end with bulkhead so tray drains all way. Should i get a cocotek mat for the bottom of the tray? How often should i flood during lights on for 12/12 cycle? Does table get flooded during light off time? How long should my flood time duration be? Another question is how are you guys go about draining the resevoir? What are my options for changing the resevoir besides lifting and dumping by hand? This is my first time using ebb table any suggestions on things to do and not to do with a ebb table setup? Any help greatly appreciated... Thanks

Lots of ways to flood hydroton I flood 3 times during lights on and 1 time during lights off 5min floods and for draining res just pump water out of rez

Run a search, man. All these questions are answered already. But I will give you my answers anyway:


Maybe

It depends

No

Just long enough to reach overflow.

I use a pump a hose and a drain.

Drain it. Fill halfway with plain water, drain again. You're good to go unless it needs to be scrubbed.

Do make sure you have EVERYTHING you need before you build it. Stress test it before plants go in. (run it with plain water for a day to make sure you don't leak and that everything works)

I flood 4 times lights on a 1 with lights off just so my roots dont dry out to much, then i take my garden hose and syphon the nuts out of the tote into the grass