titan flow n grow?

It works best if the hydroton going into the oven is dry...other whys it will have to bake longer.

You'll still see roots at first, but when you touch them they turn to dust.

Originally Posted by bowlfullofbliss

You can't reuse hydroton in this system. The root ball is completly packed, and the clay retains nutes, and will burn your new cuttings. It's a once and done product. I use 3.5 bags for 24 pots.......and they ain't that cheap LOL. Plants grow a root system so fast in this system you won't believe it. It's like wonderland for plants. Just a lot of upkeep, but such is the game. Just make sure you keep at least one ebb & grow pump ($20 US) on hand, for when one fails. I've lost one in the last bunch of years I've been running this one. You just need to make sure that the controller bucket is clean of buildup, so the floats that tell it to fill and drain work. I also have a thick pond liner on the floor of the room, with panda plastic over that to keep it white. That way, if something happens, I don't have 40 gallons of water in my insulation below. Oh yea, use vasoline when putting in all grommets, and connecting all hoses. Makes it easier to put in, and makes it extra water tight. I take the grommets and fill the gap with the vasoline, and pop them in. No sweat. A lot of guys put 2x4's under the pots to keep the roots from sitting in stale water, I don't bother. I'm going to try something one of the Death Star Crew told me about that he does with his on my next run, but I'll show pics instead of trying to describe it. It'll be a bit yet though. Oops, forgot to actaually address your question the right way, sorry. You do replace it, but it takes a lot, as mentioned above. Hydroton has to be washed over and over to get out the clay dust that is on it. The plants don't like it, and it clogs the system.

New hydroton just needs to be rinsed in a bucket with holes in it at the bottom and a garden hose. Takes five minutes.

As far as a root ball get a 14 gallon tote and shake the hydroton out of the roots, break it up with your hand if you have to. Throw the root ball away, pick out any big peaces out of the tote. Then make one of these in the pics. I have a dedicated bathroom for my stuff but make it your own and how it works for you. It just power washes the hydroton clean with the hose and all of the root stuff falls through the screen. Pick out anything big. Then you can sterilize the hydroton if you want. I use the mad farmers oxygenator before I load up new plants in the pots.

I can clean five buckets of hydroton in less than an hour and I save at least 90% of it back = savings big time.

Cool box. I just dump each bag into the bathtub and do 4 fills and aggitations, then on to the next.

Throw away buy new, no problems to stress about.

Probably enough info on stupid clay pellets LOL.

I used to dump them in garbage can and pour a jug of bleach in, fill it with water and let it sit. For like a month, cuz I hate the shit and i wouldn't do anything with it. Then I would pull out 5 gallon bucket full that I drilled 327 into the bottom of. (just kidding, no idea how many holes are in bucket). So I would rinse them for 10 minutes or so and use them. Someone on line said that that is stupid and that my plants will die!! But good thing my plants don't have a computer and they had no idea that they were supposed to die.
I thought that was easiest way.

Originally Posted by bowlfullofbliss

Cool box. I just dump each bag into the bathtub and do 4 fills and aggitations, then on to the next.

Throw away buy new, no problems to stress about.

Probably enough info on stupid clay pellets LOL.

FYI- I did the same thing for quite a while (I used hydroton in an ebb and flow system for a couple years) and I ended up fucking up the plumbing below the bathtub due to all of the residue/dust that comes off of the hydroton.

I'm sure it's a simple fix, but I didn't/don't feel like tearing apart drywall to get at the pipes. I'd rather deal with my old lady being pissed at me that she can't use the jet-tub anymore!

Originally Posted by Bernie420

New hydroton just needs to be rinsed in a bucket with holes in it at the bottom and a garden hose. Takes five minutes.

As far as a root ball get a 14 gallon tote and shake the hydroton out of the roots, break it up with your hand if you have to. Throw the root ball away, pick out any big peaces out of the tote. Then make one of these in the pics. I have a dedicated bathroom for my stuff but make it your own and how it works for you. It just power washes the hydroton clean with the hose and all of the root stuff falls through the screen. Pick out anything big. Then you can sterilize the hydroton if you want. I use the mad farmers oxygenator before I load up new plants in the pots.

I can clean five buckets of hydroton in less than an hour and I save at least 90% of it back = savings big time.

That sounds like a ridiculous amount of work! Especially when you can throw the hydroton and roots in the oven and walk away. You could be tickling your pickle while the oven does all the work...just sayin!

Originally Posted by Beagle

That sounds like a ridiculous amount of work! Especially when you can throw the hydroton and roots in the oven and walk away. You could be tickling your pickle while the oven does all the work...just sayin!

Jerking off by the oven does sound easier. I will get some trays tomorrow.

Originally Posted by st0wandgrow

FYI- I did the same thing for quite a while (I used hydroton in an ebb and flow system for a couple years) and I ended up fucking up the plumbing below the bathtub due to all of the residue/dust that comes off of the hydroton.

I'm sure it's a simple fix, but I didn't/don't feel like tearing apart drywall to get at the pipes. I'd rather deal with my old lady being pissed at me that she can't use the jet-tub anymore!

Too funny man.