The reason I use a massive amount of soil is because I'm a notill rols grower, which in that style the more soil mass the better the microherd, thus a healthier plant. I've actually been pondering on the multiple screen idea for a few reasons. One being the obvious difference in growth between Phenotypes and obviously strains. The other reason I was considering multiple screens is so that I could attempt to use more of the natural curve of the light coming from my hood. With multiple screens I could adjust for each plants need (I run multiple strains for my many medicinal needs) as well as being adjustable in the sense of being able to tilt it to match the curve of light on the edge of the footprint. I've also talked to another notill organic guy who actually uses two layers of screens with his leggy ladies to good success.
Access is a bit of a non issue with notill setups, for me at least, because there's no flood tables, flushing, moving planters, etc. I also already have a number of smaller air planters, which I plan to toss one or two in my tent to fill with mint, aloe vera, other herbs/spices, etc. I'm not just a cannabis grower, I grow everything from house plants, to fruits and vegetables, all the way to other entheogens.. So my house has a lot of plants in general in it with soil and stuff everywhere lol the gf hates it as much as she loves it lol
The one thing I'm not concerned about is running out of space. I have this knack for successfully cramming more plants in an area than I should. I remember when I first started I had a 1.5 ft x 1.5ft closet with 5 plants in it, including a 5 foot Panama Red xD
I play with my ladies every day for hours so training them to the extreme is almost second nature. I don't think I've let a lady grow unmanhandled ever.