When planning your initial hydroponic garden system, you must eventually make a decision on the type of growing media you will use. Of the most common types of media - rockwool, coconut fiber, perlite, vermiculite, and others, Hydroton grow rocks have emerged as a popular and effective choice - especially among the cost conscious. Continued below.
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 Hydroton LECA Clay Potting Media 10lbs MEDUIM Grade  US $9.99
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 Hydroton FINE Grade LECA Clay Potting Media 10lbs US $9.99
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 50 Liter Bag of Hydroton Clay Grow Rock Pebbles NEW US $20.99
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 Hydroton Expanded Clay Growing Medium 5 lb hydroponics US $14.88
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 Hydroton Expanded Clay Growing Medium 25 lb hydroponic US $32.88
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 Hydroton Expanded Clay Growing Med 47 lb hydroponic US $24.88
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 Hydroton LECA Clay Orchid Potting Media 10 lbs US $9.99
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 4 5 Net pots Hydroton and Grodan Rockwool Combo US $12.49
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 HYDROTON HYDROPONIC MEDIA MEDIUM GRADE 10LBS LECA US $9.85
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The most basic description of Hydroton is that they are clay pellets that are kiln-fired to about 1200° C until they become puffy and porous. The result is a lightweight growing medium that does a decent job at holding water (much better than perlite). Hydroton is inert and offers a neutral pH level which is key when determining the appropriate ratio of hydroponic nutrients to add to the system. This is one of the biggest downsides to using rockwool as it alters the acid/alkaline level as water flows through, making nutrient dosing tricky.
Hydroponic gardening can be an expensive endeavor, not just when getting started, but in maintenance costs. Lesser growing media needs to be replaced every couple of growing cycles at least (some need to be replaced after each growing cycle) making reuse impossible. Hydroton is 100% reusable for as long as you wish to use it - provided you clean it thoroughly after each growing cycle. Your best bet is to wash in hydrogen peroxide and then just rinse completely with clean water.
[...] the seedlings are washed, you can place them in a growing medium such as Rockwool or Hydroton and then into the hydroponic solution. Having a PH tester and CF meter can help you check the [...]
[...] Medium: You will need a growing medium for your lettuce such as Hydroton which has a neutral pH balance. Be sure to not use root cubes more than once. The lettuce seedlings [...]
[...] • Grow medium (I prefer hydroton) [...]