whats your technique for starting rooted clones in ebb n grow buckets?

hey yall. just wanted to see how everyone else starts their newly rooted clones when putting them in the buckets for the first time.
i use 5 gal buckets with 6inch net pot lids. . my clones are usually in 2inch rw cubes or rapid rooter plugs. ill place my rooted clones in the bottom of the pot then fill the the pot with hydroton. my problem is, it takes like 2 weeks for my roots to start wandering into the buckets.... i dont use any special root juice or anything, just gh 3 part 1:1:1 ratio at 400 ppm. i hand watered for the first week twice a day. then tried once a day. my roots just started dropping into the buckets so i set my timers for 4 floods a day. it takes a shit ton of water to fill my buckets all the way to the top to reach the bottom of the net pots where the roots are.
whats the best way to get my roots to get down in the buckets quickest??
whats your technique?

I alway go from r/w starters to hugo blocks then to ebb buckets. But if your going strait to the buckets
Might want to hand want for a bit till roots set in

how many times per day would you suggest hand watering? my fear is watering to often will not allow the roots to explore...
you know how it is, the plugs stay wet but the clay pellets dry out quick, so its tough to decide when to water.

i have just started a little top feed recirculating system out of the spare cap buckets i have and it seems to be working well so far, very simple to make and i can just take the inner bucket and set it right in the the flood and drain system in the flower room when the time comes. so far so good. just straight rapid rooters to hydroton.