Hulkberry Auto 1st grow DWC

Week 3 started with the idea of LST for the little guy. I gained access to the plant via the fan inlet and was shocked to see how small it was and how dry and yellow the bottom leaves were. I think this was due in part to the ph and water level as well as a constant 33% humidity and the piece of mylar I placed around the plant to prevent light seeping through the net cup into the water ( I think it is reflecting light up and focussing it on the plant which might be visible in my crappy pictures). As the plant was puny I decided not to train it yet and just let it have its way this time. I decided to add a separate reservoir to maintain the high water level at least until there is more growth and I'm sure the roots are well drenched in the solution. I took another 20l masons bucket and filled it up, threw in some nutrients (I've been going light on the nutes: 1/4 the first week and 1/3 thereafter of the recommended amount (I've heard that less is better)) and adjusted the ph. I then put a water pump in and a tube into the bucket through the hole that the other cords go into the bucket and pumped up the water level. What I didn't expect was that because to the suction created by the pump the two reservoirs now act as one and my internal level stays constant as it sucks up the water from the second bucket without the use of the pump and adjusting the height of the second bucket determines the water level in the reservoir tank. Another reason for introducing the external bucket is that I'll be away all week 4. I thought that sitting on top of 40l of water would be humid enough but obviously not so. I think in my next Bucket-Barrel grow I will drill a few holes in the bottom of the barrel and drop some rope through and secure it to a piece of styrofoam (to keep it at the top of the water) and then inside the barrel take the other end and put in a dish on the bottom of the barrel with something super absorbent (a towel, water gel beads, or that stuff you put in the soil that swells up and keeps the moisture at a constant level) the idea being that the rope will wick up water into the dish which I hope this will increase the humidity to acceptable levels. Any suggestion on a way to passively raise the humidity would be appreciated.