Media

All4freedumb · Mar 29, 2012

Bump** So Ds, these test have a good 2 1/2 mo under their belts now, what have you come across in your side by side runs? I am very interested in your findings...

PrefersHam · Apr 22, 2012

Bump** So Ds, these test have a good 2 1/2 mo under their belts now, what have you come across in your side by side runs? I am very interested in your findings...

Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Bueller.

Peace,
Ham

Unit541 · Apr 25, 2012

Several years ago I did a side by side Hydroton vs Diatomite. Been using Diatomite ever since.

Any plants that live in net pots get Diatomite exclusively, as does the anything in veg. Plants that live in buckets are planted in #4 Perlite (little bigger than FF big & chunky), and get top-dressed with Diatomite for stability and as a pest barrier. I don't bother rinsing or preparing either, and both are considerably lighter than HT. Not to mention, the Diatomite makes your root-zone off-limits to any critters. Being able to use directly into media out-of-the-bag and not worry about PH etc. is reason enough for me to never even consider HT again.

I only use the Perlite in my top feed buckets too keep them lighter and easier to manage during harvest and clean up. Without a doubt the girls would rather live in 100% Diatomite, but 5 gallons of it is heavy, and for the cost of filling one bucket, I can fill 10 with #4 Perlite. Both mediums seem to compliment my nutrients in terms of stability, and really leave nothing to be desired. I don't think it's likely I'll ever grow in anything but one or both of these two mediums again.

PrefersHam · Apr 25, 2012

thats nuts that someone else does this. ive been criticized for topping off with DE for a long time. im glad someone else sees the benefits.
Peace,
Ham

tipper619sd · Apr 26, 2012

diatomite is something new to me but i use the rocks with the silica and have had bring ph swings so i just adjust for the ph swing and go from there. I have s=used hydroton in my aero systems but i have seen build up and such and the lil ones getting picked up from first filling pot are everywhere. Im sticking to the rocks until further notice.

ttystikk · May 6, 2012

I've been using hydroton for a year now, and the only time it holds me back is in early veg when I try to use it on my ebb n flood table. It doens't work very well and rockwool seems to be much better. Once they get big enough, they end up in a netpot bucket lid with hydroton in it and they like it fine... what symptoms would I be looking for to see if a switch would work better for me?

desertsquirrel · May 6, 2012

Most of the advantages to using the other medias also came with disadvantages (as most things do in this industry).

We haven't had the time to do any further proper testing, or posting on the subject. I apologize.

PrefersHam · May 7, 2012

Thanks for the update.

Peace,

Ham

PrefersHam · Jun 21, 2012

So sad. Hydroton is gone. Trying Plant!t stones for the first time. Darker, heavier, more irregular, but most importantly way less rinsing. I like the irregularity for some reason. Fewer large spaces. Did i mention almost no rinsing.

Peace,

Ham

UClover · Jun 21, 2012

woodsmaneh said:
Back in the early days of hydro (70's) we used river washed pea gravel, all about the size of , well peas. I have looked for it everywhere but not much luck finding it in the last 8 years. I don't like sharp edges in there if I can help it.

They sale pea gravel at Home Depot for $4 a bag.

UClover · Jun 21, 2012

My money is on Growstones, the newer batches have a tighter pore size so they don't float.

They do hold a lot of water compared to expanded clay pebbles but also air and I think roots can grow in/through them.

ralphy · Jun 21, 2012

Unit541 said:
Several years ago I did a side by side Hydroton vs Diatomite. Been using Diatomite ever since.

Any plants that live in net pots get Diatomite exclusively, as does the anything in veg. Plants that live in buckets are planted in #4 Perlite (little bigger than FF big & chunky), and get top-dressed with Diatomite for stability and as a pest barrier. I don't bother rinsing or preparing either, and both are considerably lighter than HT. Not to mention, the Diatomite makes your root-zone off-limits to any critters. Being able to use directly into media out-of-the-bag and not worry about PH etc. is reason enough for me to never even consider HT again.

I only use the Perlite in my top feed buckets too keep them lighter and easier to manage during harvest and clean up. Without a doubt the girls would rather live in 100% Diatomite, but 5 gallons of it is heavy, and for the cost of filling one bucket, I can fill 10 with #4 Perlite. Both mediums seem to compliment my nutrients in terms of stability, and really leave nothing to be desired. I don't think it's likely I'll ever grow in anything but one or both of these two mediums again.

I'm with you when it comes to diatomite. Awesome stuff. Can't say I like perlite. Prefer diatomite over it, but using it as a barrier to stop the perlite floating away is a good idea. As diatomite is composed of silica, obviously it benefits the plants too.

PrefersHam said:
thats nuts that someone else does this. ive been criticized for topping off with DE for a long time. im glad someone else sees the benefits.
Peace,
Ham

Diatomite and DE are two different products. Diatomite is the rock in various grades of sizes, used as a horticultural product. DE is ground diatomite, ground to dust and used as an insecticide, filter, etc.

PrefersHam · Jun 21, 2012

Diatomite and DE are two different products. Diatomite is the rock in various grades of sizes, used as a horticultural product. DE is ground diatomite, ground to dust and used as an insecticide, filter, etc.

I know. However, we use the two similar products in similar fashions.

PrefersHam · Aug 10, 2012

Met growstones CEO the other day. Discussed my concerns with the product. he said many growers hasd the same complaints about dust and the pieces being too large. there was a drift in production and they have corrected it. the hydroponic medium is now packaged in more of a variety sizes. however there is still the double wash needed before use and a pH adjustment....i dunno plan!t takes one rinse and it stacks better than hydroton. Currently using growstones in two of my ebb and grows not at the end result yet.

DS i see your using balls in your filthy porn thread. What did you find?

Also, remember someone saying something about testing on a proprietary veg system??? anyone know what happened to this?

Peace,

Ham

Camnibus · Aug 13, 2012

Grow rocks only. I also use them as the only medium in the hempy buckets I keep my mothers in.

RollinEndough · Aug 14, 2012

Sure to Death is more like it. No plant support, grows algae like a mother and costs too much for pillow fibers. You're missing out if it's all you use.

desertsquirrel · Aug 16, 2012

I have to agree with rollin... We tried Sure to grow once - i hated everything about it.

Im glad its working well for you though.

Alice D · Jan 6, 2013

Anyone use higromite? Our local store is now carrying it since no more hydroton. It's a silicate based rock witch sounds alright I just wonder how much water it holds,if any?

redwhiteblue · Jan 6, 2013

Using a sombrero style 6" netpot lid minimizes the amount of media needed. the media isn't serving a function after the rooting phase anyway, since if you're in UC you better be all tied up.

the ideal solution for me was the $3 bags of "something" red @ the home despot. Using a smaller netpot lid = less media, lighter weight to pick up the plants if you need to check underneath them.

Media

Media

All4freedumb

PrefersHam

Unit541

PrefersHam

tipper619sd

ttystikk

desertsquirrel

PrefersHam

PrefersHam

UClover

UClover

ralphy

PrefersHam

PrefersHam

Camnibus

RollinEndough

desertsquirrel

Alice D

redwhiteblue

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency