All4freedumb
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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...
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...
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.
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.
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.