I have and do use Air-pots as well as the 420 grow system pots, do a search and you will find my post on both units. The air pots are great, with the exception that watering must be done slowly or the water will shoot out the upper holes and never make it to the bottom. I like both pots, but have been using the 420 grow system pots (bottom watering pots) as they use less water and that = less nutes. I use the 5 gallon 420 pots and the 4.3gallon Air pots..........I have not noticed a difference in yield or plant heath between the two.....but its hard to say because I never grow the same strain twice.
Stlmatt
The holes near the top are covered.
Do you have the covered holes on the top? They prevent the water from coming out the sides.
I have been watering both top and bottom (in a tray) and have not had any problems. If I am running two pots, water one until it is full up top, then water the other. Then I pour some more in the tray.
The only "problem" I have is that the plants drink eat more, so I have to water twice a day. That is a good problem to have. (with 5 gallon hempy buckets, I watered once a day)
If you don't like watering so much, get some blumats.