Beginner Gardening: Newbie question about "Self-Watering Pots/Planters", 1 by MrsLidwell

MrsLidwell wrote:
So, I noticed that all my "self-watering pots/planters", the bottoms, where the water reservoir is, detaches from the planter part. My question is this... am I supposed to remove that part and adjust the reservior a little so that water CAN reach the soil, or if I leave it put together the way they were purchased (without removing the reservoir and readjusting it), and put water in there, will the water still be able to reach the soil?

I am new to using and growing plants indoors like this, so I feel like I am in unfamiliar territory. So far, I have not removed the bottom from the top part yet on my other planters like this, and have been watering my plants by making sure the top of the soil is moist, but it seems as if I am overwatering this way, and killing my plants, so I thought I would try things differently, to ensure I don't overwater.