FYI Hydroton no longer for sale

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noone88

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Sun*light*supply is no longer carrying hydroton. They are working on a replacement, but no ETA.
 
bobby

bobby

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Yes, I heard that the clay mines that the majority of the hydroton comes from, has been depleated.
 
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noone88

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Found posts on IC*Mag. Apparently the parent company had financial problems/bankruptcy. I doubt it's a lack of raw materials.
 
bobby

bobby

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Where did you here this from??

Some random guy at a local hydro shop. In my opinion, it sounds at least like a possibility. I mean, why does this stuff even have to come from overseas? What is so special about this specific type of clay?

I'm no scientist, but seems like a great business opportunity. There's going to be a huge gap in the market, I wonder which medium will take it's place?

What do you guys think will be the next best alternative for Hydroton lovers?

Who has an explanation for why this shit has to be shipped here from Germany? Why can't someone just make it here?
 
bobby

bobby

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LOL.. its posts like these that make me miss the forums and the people who post on them..

I'm no geologist, but why is my post so outrageous? Is it that absurd to think that a mine can actually be depleated?
 
LexLuthor

LexLuthor

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@bobby- Yeah, its a possibility, but most peoople haven't heard about it. I think thats why it just sounds funny, but I'm gonna do some research on Google and Wiki about it to see what I can come up with.
 
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dan.23

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I've been buying knock off hydoton for about a year now. Its called chinaton and its only like 22 bucks for the 50 liter bag. So like half price and looks identical too me. Works the sure I know that. Don't worry kiddies there r replacements
 
KennyPowers

KennyPowers

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hydroton is sustainable so i dont think we ran out quite yet.

there are reports around the web that the company that made it in germany had quality control issues and shut down the brand. their whole company is different types and uses of clay though...it was just the hydro brand that got closed after recalls in the UK.
 
LexLuthor

LexLuthor

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I've been buying knock off hydoton for about a year now. Its called chinaton and its only like 22 bucks for the 50 liter bag. So like half price and looks identical too me. Works the sure I know that. Don't worry kiddies there r replacements

"Kiddies" :rolleyes:

Anyways, are you sure you spelled the knockoff brand the correct way, because when I checked Google and Wiki for "chinaton" and "chinoton" I found 0 results. Just to let ya'll know Hydroton is not the actual medium, LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) is the medium and Hydroton is just the name brand, like Fox Farm or Miracle Gro. They make expanded clay pepples by baking pure natural clay at temperature over 1k degrees, so I'm almost positive until we run out of natural clay, we won't run out of LECA.

Hey dan, could you take a picture of the bag of expanded clay pebbles so I can do more research on it. Also, look at the ingrediants and see if its made from natural clay, if it is then its not a replacement for Hydroton, its just another brands name.
 
Capulator

Capulator

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there is some other stuff out now called hydro coral. its leca but not ball shapes, more random chunks. it locks together better and doesnt roll around when you drop it.
 
cheaplastic

cheaplastic

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I'm no geologist, but why is my post so outrageous? Is it that absurd to think that a mine can actually be depleated?


because clay isnt a scarce resource. and LECA production isnt unique to one clay mine lol.
 
LexLuthor

LexLuthor

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there is some other stuff out now called hydro coral. its leca but not ball shapes, more random chunks. it locks together better and doesnt roll around when you drop it.

Thats cool, kinda like perlite, how its chunky. That sounds like something that could be of good use, is it available at hydro stores or do you have to buy it online??
 
Confuten1

Confuten1

exploitin strengths - perfectin weaknessess
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My hydro store has some knock off stuff looks identucal except it seems to not have as smooth a surface as hydroton. I like the smooth surface.

Confu.
 
LexLuthor

LexLuthor

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because clay isnt a scarce resource. and LECA production isnt unique to one clay mine lol.

Yeah, its kinda hard to believe the world is running out of clay.

@bobby- Maybe that random dude at the hydro store who told that the clay mines are being depleted was just messing with you?? IDK because I still haven't researched the depletion of clay mines, but I'll hop on that right now (no homo).
 
justsomeguy

justsomeguy

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i got a small bag of growstones to try out and i'm liking it. recycled glass, super light weight. i j have it in 3:1 with coco in one pot with all my other plants in chow. performs the same. i ll probably reuse this chow once more and then do my next mix with grow stones. i think it comes in two sizes, a chunky hydro medium and smaller particles for blending.
 
LexLuthor

LexLuthor

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Just did a little research, from what I've read there is no shortage of clay or clay mines being depleted. The issue is with Hydroton (the brand name) and the manufacturers in Germany where the clay comes from. So don't believe what some random guy tells you, its all about money. If there was a real shortage of high quality clay it would be all over the news, and its not. That's because the issues between the 2 companies (Hydroton and Germany manufacturers) have nothing to do with running out of resources, but politics and even more about money.

If there was a lack of clay resources, then all the other brands of LECA would also be taken off the shelves, but there not, so its obvious that Hydroton is having inner company issues that not many people know about and there will always be another company that replaces them if they do stop selling LECA.

My conclusion, don't worry, even if the hydro shops stop selling Hydroton I promise you there will be another name brand of LECA thats just as good.
 

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