Alternatives for hydroton clay?

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

Can you use some other rock aggregate instead of hydroton clay? I figure PH of the rock is pretty important, so hydroton clay has a nautral PH, but limestone aggregate has a ph of 7-14 for example. But what if I use some kind of rock aggregate that has a nautral PH range? It's just that hydroton clay is expensive. I would get 50L for 35 which is almost 50 dollars. Coir is not as expensive - 18 for 50L, but still expensive. What if one needs 1000L of growth medium? This is going to be a LOT of money when paying for coir or hydroton clay... Any other type of rock aggregates to use?

SableZen · Feb 18, 2014

Yeah I know with aquaponics that limestone = problems w/ pH (too high). Pea gravel often has a lot of limestone in it unfortunately. Crushed granite (not decomposed granite) is supposed to be neutral'ish and usually available in bulk from landscaping places.

forestboy · Feb 18, 2014

I don't know where you're getting your hydroton from but I pay £15 for 50 litres for mine.

Perlite, mapito, coco is all I can suggest. Perhaps diahydro but that's quite expensive and difficult to get.

superstoner1 · Feb 18, 2014

Why use it at all? Just a waste of money and time, along with adding in possible pH or contaminant issues. I have not used anything other than netpots and collars for years in both aero and dwc.

forestboy · Feb 18, 2014

If you don't live in the same place as your op having a medium does give you a bit of leverage regarding pump failure etc.

Also, my DIY system for example would take a bit of tweaking to accommodate aero and on top of that aero would add a lot to the noise of the thing. Otherwise I'd be aero myself all the way.

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

It's just that I feel uneasy going straight to aero/dwc knowing that I have 4x 1000W bulbs that needs to be used well. I can not imagine how big of a system I would need to build and how much is it going to cost me.

Seems like building a system would take much effort and I would rather invest all that energy to keep everything else under control.

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

1000L of hydroton clay: €450
1000L of coir: €275
1000L of granite aggregate: €50

Do you see the difference?

I made some research and everything I came across seemed to lead to the same conclusion, that granite is inert and does not alter PH of water.

Does it mean it could be used the same way hydroton clay is being used?

NorthofEngland · Feb 18, 2014

Helmut79 said:
1000L of hydroton clay: €450
1000L of coir: €275
1000L of granite aggregate: €50

Do you see the difference?

I made some research and everything I came across seemed to lead to the same conclusion, that granite is inert and does not alter PH of water.

Does it mean it could be used the same way hydroton clay is being used?

Hydroton seems less expensive once it's been used umpteen times
and still has a limitless life expectancy.

WHERE ARE YOU?
IRELAND???

I switched from CANNA CLAY PEBBLES (45l for £10)
to VITALINK (50l for £7.50)

I cannot tell any difference
Both need a damn good soaking rinsing and cleaning
before use, to get rid of the dust
and prevent pH issues.

CAN'T YOU BUY A FEW LITRES OF GRANITE
AND PUT IT TO THE TEST..???

NorthofEngland · Feb 18, 2014

POST ONE
"35 Euro for 50l...."
POST THREE
"1000l for 450Euro......."

In 3 posts your Hydroton expenses have reduced by a third....
Keep this thread moving and, by the fourth page,
YOU'LL BE GETTING MONEY TO TAKE AWAY THE HYDROTON.

Mithrandir420 · Feb 18, 2014

Why re-invent the wheel? Use what others have used for years that we know works (hydroton, coco, rockwool, etc), or go mediumless as SS suggests. If it's a cost issue, then save more money before you get your system going.

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

NorthofEngland said:
POST ONE
"35 Euro for 50l...."
POST THREE
"1000l for 450Euro......."

In 3 posts your Hydroton expenses have reduced by a third....
Keep this thread moving and, by the fourth page,
YOU'LL BE GETTING MONEY TO TAKE AWAY THE HYDROTON.

I first looked at the price they sell 50L bags with (which is even more expensive), then I took the price of their bulk sale to compare it with the price of coir and hydroton clay. Not sure what are you trying to say.

bulk - http://www.hydroponics.eu/growing-m...ydro-rockz-45l-50-pcs-clay-pebbles-21396.html
50L - http://www.hydroponics.eu/growing-media-c-28/clay-pebbles-hydrokorrels-s-72/grorox-big-50l-9138.html

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

Mithrandir420 said:
Why re-invent the wheel? Use what others have used for years that we know works (hydroton, coco, rockwool, etc), or go mediumless as SS suggests. If it's a cost issue, then save more money before you get your system going.

I am not re-inventing anything. I am trying to find information about growing in granite aggregate, because it would cost me less than anything else.

Interesting topic in my opinion. Lets see if anyone else is going to chime in with some interesting thoughts to share.

forestboy · Feb 18, 2014

Helmut79 said:
I am not re-inventing anything. I am trying to find information about growing in granite aggregate, because it would cost me less than anything else.

Interesting topic in my opinion. Lets see if anyone else is going to chime in with some interesting thoughts to share.

My thoughts are as such. If you haven't found people using it there is probably good reason.

Possible reasoning is granite is an igneous rock so presumably dense with minimal to zero absorption qualities. Even clay pebbles have some absorbent quality to them. If they didn't have then water would simple run off them causing an immediate drying effect and perhaps even in many places not ever getting wet. You don't want bone dry pockets in any area of your medium. Without some capillary action caused by a mild degree of absorption you wont get dispersal.

My 2 cents as you yanks say

Helmut79 · Feb 18, 2014

forestboy said:
My thoughts are as such. If you haven't found people using it there is probably good reason.

Possible reasoning is granite is an igneous rock so presumably dense with minimal to zero absorption qualities. Even clay pebbles have some absorbent quality to them. If they didn't have then water would simple run off them causing an immediate drying effect and perhaps even in many places not ever getting wet. You don't want bone dry pockets in any area of your medium. Without some capillary action caused by a mild degree of absorption you wont get dispersal.

My 2 cents as you yanks say

I tend to agree...

FR33MASON · Feb 18, 2014

While it is not cheaper, sintered glass is superior to hydroton in every way except in price.

forestboy · Feb 18, 2014

FR33MASON said:
While it is not cheaper, sintered glass is superior to hydroton in every way except in price.

Interesting. How much more expensive is it. It only has to be bought once. I'd pay for the best possible medium!

superstoner1 · Feb 18, 2014

The best possible medium for hydro is NO medium. Its only for support. Anything that can contaminate the system, hold potential hazards in it can not be the best possible.

forestboy · Feb 18, 2014

superstoner1 said:
The best possible medium for hydro is NO medium. Its only for support. Anything that can contaminate the system, hold potential hazards in it can not be the best possible.

Yeah you said already and I agree but as I already said, there are a variety of reason that is not an option for me.

1- being I built my own system and I can't be bothered to adapt it for aero and 2, I have 9 reservoirs in total with 18 x 1 meter high vertical tubes atop of them. Can you imagine the noise of all that constant running water. I'm in an apartment and there is a bedroom directly above me.

SableZen · Feb 18, 2014

Crushed granite is used all the time with aquaponics - it's not reinventing the wheel, just not common with cannabis growers on this forum. For those that are interested in this, there are aquaponic forums/resources out there where you could probably find more information. Trust me, aquaponics people can get even more crazy than cannabis growers with details because of the interrelated living systems.

SableZen · Feb 18, 2014

FR33MASON said:
While it is not cheaper, sintered glass is superior to hydroton in every way except in price.

I'm interested in this - do you have a source for any sintered glass medium? Or do you just break up some air stones or something (hadn't thought of that before, but might try it)?

Alternatives for hydroton clay?

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