Clay pebbles + ? + ? = ? ..or just the pebbles?

[PorkHunt]

I keep seeing that when setting up the medium for a hydro , not only do you use clay pebbles but to also mix in perlite and vermiculite , if true how much?

Cheers

Pork

[puggle6]

I just use the clay balls

 

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[TheInsideMan]

Same here. Easy.

 

 

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[PorkHunt]

Sprouts straight in the balls or Rockwool to stabilize it ??

[puggle6]

Rockwool cube or jiffy bro [emoji106]

 

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[merl1n]

I 'try' to emulate nature. In nature soils are layered topsoil, clay, sand

So I start in a rockwool cube with perlite in a layer around 6 inches

Then clayballs  in the bottom of the pot 4-6 inches

 

Well that's what I do

[merl1n]

I started out using straight perlite, but at the end of the grow I found all this grit at the bottom of the pots.

The issue with perlite is that it compresses down, removing air pockets, as the water flows through it. As it compresses it breaks down causing a fine white dust. When that dust gets wet it goes like a paste. That paste can smother roots. 

The paste is also really harsh on pumps, a bit like grinding paste.

Also that fine dust sinks to the bottom of the pot where the fine oxygen roots often sit, starving them of oxygen. A real good washing of the perlite before starting helps remove a lot of the dust, but it doesn't eliminate it.

Using the clayballs allows the dust to sink without the issue of compression as the fired clay is ceramic hard and doesn't break down, this allows more airpockets.

Edited May 23, 2019 by merl1n

[merl1n]

Ohh, don't get me wrong, it's not that it compresses down noticeably enough to see the reduction at pot height,

But when I'm finished the grow the dust in the base of the pot is noticeable, also as I flush fortnightly I've noticed the dust in my resi with each flush.

[Serrated edge]

I get a little bit of dust come put in the first few watering ,,,,then it stops ,,..

 

If the bag was treated roughly then you could expect more dust but best to flush it out before pots get plants in them .

Gotta treat perlite bags gently

 

Was using weed mat at the bottom of my pots for a few grows ,,,did notice some dust collected so stopped that idea .

 

i find it an exelent medium for run to waste,

bit of a shit getting rid of the stuff though.

[Indycar]

Raise seedlings/clones in rockwool, then straight into 5" netted pot containing expanded clay balls in a RDWC setup with top feed irrigation.

 

Once grow is finished, soak them in a bucket of water with a bit of chlorine and/or bleach for 2-3 days, drain and thoroughly rinse with freshwater, then lay them out suspended on a old flyscreen outside in the sun for 2-4weeks, and pack it up into dry storage for next time (bin any broken ones).

 

Last lot of hydroton expanded clayballs lasted me over 7 years, and still good as the day I got them. Clean them properly each time and they'll serve you well.