Hey AKFrost,
You're going to have to do some reading -- I suggest The Cannabis Grow Bible and all the stickies on growing, whether it's talking about hydro or not. They you'll need to seek out info specifically on hydro to supplement. One thing that helped for me was reading several sources on a topic like, say, germination, then picking the approach I wanted to try and then looking for video on YouTube to show it. You have to be smart about this -- there's plenty of video on YouTube of people using really bad technique, they just don't know it. So do a lot of homework on your own and then listen to some experts.
I germinate in rockwool cubes so I don't have to handle them when they're a tiny seed with a tap root. I use Advanced Nutrients right now, but they just changed the formula...if I stay will AN, I'll use the Jungle Juice. But I might switch when I run out of what I've got.
You're definitely going to want to get a ppm meter and a ph meter. The ppm meter will keep you from burning your plants and will save you TONS of money on nutrients because the recommended levels on the bottles are 2-3 times what the plant actually needs.
Good luck!
KG