Perlite for DWC ?

has anyone ever tried using perlite around there rockwool instead of hydroton? ive run outa hydroton by i have perlite left over... and i was also thinking you know how if u dont wash your clayballs good enough the run off can rize your ph well im thinking perlite might be the go. or would it just fall thru the netpots to easyily ?

smallclosetgrowr said:

has anyone ever tried using perlite around there rockwool instead of hydroton? ive run outa hydroton by i have perlite left over... and i was also thinking you know how if u dont wash your clayballs good enough the run off can rize your ph well im thinking perlite might be the go. or would it just fall thru the netpots to easyily ?

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I think it was my 1st hydro experiment,DONT DO IT!when the perlite gets wet it weighs the roots down.Hydroton or Big RR Cubes.I've heard good things about Coco coir.Peace

can u elaborate how it ways the roots down? i dont get how it could lol ..

I am currrently using a 100% perlite medium for my 10gallon Dwc rubbermade tote. I germinated directly in the system and have had no problems with roots or weights.

is it prone to grow algea or anything ? do u found any crushed perlite in your res at all ?

i use perlite all the time just rinse it first to wash out the small stuff and it doesnt get heavy but if you havent noticed people on this sire just like to chime in talking out there ass

I use 100% perlite. germinate in a shot glass and throw in the jiffy peat pellets till they pop out and throw the jiffy pellet right into the perlite.
I did have some perlite fall through the net baskets and everybody on here kept thinkin it was salt build up in the res lol.
So yeah, you can definitely do it. check my sig for verification.

I also run 100% perlite with no problems.

Well I guess I'm not as poor as you fishtank growers.By the way smartass check how long I have been on this site.Trust me bro spend the $20 and get some Hydroton.If Algea becomes present use a teaspoon of H2O2 will kill it right away.

Its like laying a brick on youre roots Sven.Hydroton is hollow and lighter.I had an old bro named Sven diesel but it cant be you,you just joined.Plus he is a real grower.

Hydroton is not hollow noob

yes. As i said before i use 100% perlite no problems, the only thing you need to watch out for is that the dry dust that perlite contains is harmful for your lungs as well as your plants. But once its in your system and the water is splashing up into it, it wont become an issue. I still mist every few days just to be safe though.