Newbie converting from lava / bark to SH.

[daddydoall]

This S/H method seems like a good idea, never to wet, never to dry?? I have had mostly good luck using lava / bark combination, but have some plants being too dry hot summer, and others too wet in winter. I am not interested in setting up a complicated system.

1. Can I simply use expanded clay product in pots sitting in a shallow tray and flush / replace the water / nutrients periodically?
2. Should I use taller pots, I like to use shallow clay ones? 3. Should the trays be removed in the winter when weekly watering seems to be sufficient anyway.
4. I use bottom heat in winter on part of collection (if ambient drops below 50F), so having a water tray would help store heat, but I'm concerned with it being too wet in cold conditions (40-60F) when heat is not on.