Maybe the videos are using non organic material as the wick?

An ebb and flow system waters the roots directly. The planting medium is usually some gravel, peet and vermiculite. The peet and vermiculite hold a good amount of water while promoting air flow around the roots.

I’m not good at explaining because I focus on too many little details. Look up ebb and flow systems for some expert advice. They take a little setup but you look 75-80% there already.

The goal is to flood the watering basin so it saturates the medium in the basket, the Ebb, and then shuts off letting the water and nutrients Flow back out.

Always wet is bad. Ideally you water once a day and the soil mostly dries within 23 hours. You’re so close to an ebb and flow style system you should give it a try.