First of all you have to understand aeroponics and the fact that you are now introducing an a water pump and if you are saying aeroponics then 360 or 180 degree misters, which can both clog very easily, I have used everything from 2 inch net pots to 8", and i have used perlite for years, the perlite will break down and fall through the net pots, it is also very dusty when it get dry and is actually a health hazard, you are suppose to wear a dust mask working with dry perlite. If the guy at the hydro store gave you perlite for a hydropnic system inculding net pots, then you may want to look at getting a new hydro store and perlite does not work well with net pots, that is why the vast majority of hydroponic gardeners use expanded clay pellets/ hydroton, that is their purpose, plus they hold both more air and water then perlite. Perlite is a soil amendent to add more aeration to your medium or as a soil-less medium, but with it not staying constantly wet it is way to light of a stubstance to be an effective anchor for your plants.
Either way if you think that someone will buy this for $80 or whatever price when they can easily do what you have done and compile items, then by all means, do what you do.
How does this aeroponic system work?
