I use 3.5mm wick.
My trick? After I build my coil (2.5 wraps of DC 32g/34g) and set it on the ceramic, I trim off 3 strands from each side of the wick (channel-laden). This way, the coil holds awesome juice (full 3.5mm) and the channels wick really well (2.5mm).
Got my second ody up and running. I cut two wick strands from each channel and I do really like this. So much so I may rebuild my other ody again so I can trim the wicks in the channel as well. That will also give me a little more practice. So far found not counting the wrap from the NR/R joint a 5/6 of 30 gauge on 3.5 silica gives me 1.5 ohms, good deal.
I wasn't able to get the housing as tight as I would like it but it is working for now so that works.
Thanks everybody for the help, very much appreciated. Looking forward to getting better with the gg products, that way will be ready for when my Ithaka arrives.