Is less hydroton better?

Quick question. I'm new to using ebb and grow buckets. I'm experienced with flood tables using 3 or 4 inch net pots filled with hydroton. My ebb and grow system is 2 gallon buckets filled with hydroton.

Is a bucket filled all the way up with hydroton better than say a 6 inch net pot within the 2 gallon buckets, so the rroots hang? I've always had my roots hang in flood tables and DWC, but with my ebb system, the whole pot is filled with hydroton and roots do not hang. It's more like roots growing in soil. Is this better? I honestly thought hanging roots was better. It always worked great for me. More oxygen, roots dry faster, more feedings ect. What's up? Any one have any input on this?

Here's a sketch I drew you you can understand what I'm talking about. I'm thinking of modifying my ebb system to use 6 inch pots instead..... Also it's way less hydroton to clean. I know all about plant support, iI've supported 3 Oz plants in 3 inch net pots before, so that's not a problem, what I'm wondering is if the roots being able to hang is instead of suffocating them in hydroton is better.
Give me your input, have you done this?

I have always thought that less hydroton is better so the roots have more volume to spread out and grow into. But that's just my theory, I guess.

amfmclockradio said:

I have always thought that less hydroton is better so the roots have more volume to spread out and grow into. But that's just my theory, I guess.

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That's the same thing I was thinking too. Ive never seen 2 gallon net pots until I bought this ebb n gro system. It seems ridiculous using 2gal hydroton per plant

As far as I know, the only purpose of the media is to anchor the roots to provide stability for the plant. I'd have to go buy a lot more hydroton if I were going to fill my entire reservoirs with the stuff.

amfmclockradio said:

As far as I know, the only purpose of the media is to anchor the roots to provide stability for the plant. I'd have to go buy a lot more hydroton if I were going to fill my entire reservoirs with the stuff.

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For sure, it took a whole huge bag of hydroton for just 6 plants! And now I'm cleaning the system and it's a pain in the ass because there's so many roots all tangled in the rocks. I think I'll just buy a lid for the ebb buckets and cut a hole in the lid and put 6" net pots instead, it seems like that will work much better. The system I have is an active aqua flow n grow. All in all it seems like a good system so far besides the net pot design. Do all ebb n grow buckets have huge net pots like that?

AlphaPhase said:

For sure, it took a whole huge bag of hydroton for just 6 plants! And now I'm cleaning the system and it's a pain in the ass because there's so many roots all tangled in the rocks. I think I'll just buy a lid for the ebb buckets and cut a hole in the lid and put 6" net pots instead, it seems like that will work much better. The system I have is an active aqua flow n grow. All in all it seems like a good system so far besides the net pot design. Do all ebb n grow buckets have huge net pots like that?

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how did the conversion work out for you? i don't expect a response after your last post over seven years ago but one can hope because I'm thinking about doing the same conversion..