I have 2 strands of 3mm silica in there now with a very spaced 0.44Ω coil, and it is wicking like a champ. I can suck a full tank down in like 4-5 hours without meaning to.I've not had any problems with leaks or dry hits with the merlin.
I wicked it like I would any tank, the wick goes down past the holes touching them, into the juice cups on the base, nothing special other than I use rayon.
The merlin is the only tank I use, on a dna200 mod in power mode.
I mainly use drippers or bf atty's on my squonkers, the aeronaut is my favorite.