Hydroton sucks..

PetFlora

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
I switched to polished stones ~ 5 years ago

They do not break down, clog drains, and are super easy to clean and reuse

I also start seedlings/clones in coco pellets > coco 4'net pot inserts into 3" netpots (leaves a gap at the bottom which helps root growth) > side filingl with coco is better than small stones
 

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Big Perm

Big Perm

Well-Known Member
PetFlora said:
I switched to polished stones ~ 5 years ago

They do not break down, clog drains, and are super easy to clean and reuse

I also start seedlings/clones in coco pellets > coco 4'net pot inserts into 3" netpots (leaves a gap at the bottom which helps root growth) > side filingl with coco is better than small stones
Click to expand...
Do I see marbles in there?
 
Big Perm

Big Perm

Well-Known Member
PetFlora said:
I switched to polished stones ~ 5 years ago

They do not break down, clog drains, and are super easy to clean and reuse

I also start seedlings/clones in coco pellets > coco 4'net pot inserts into 3" netpots (leaves a gap at the bottom which helps root growth) > side filingl with coco is better than small stones
Click to expand...
My first grow ever I was so poor I used river rocks that I actually went to the creek and got. Worked pretty good now that I think of it.
 
Roger A. Shrubber

Roger A. Shrubber

Well-Known Member
Big Perm said:
My first grow ever I was so poor I used river rocks that I actually went to the creek and got. Worked pretty good now that I think of it.
Click to expand...
as long as you get them good and clean before using them, no reason they shouldn't. the only advantage hydroton has is it's ability to absorb water and pass it to the next piece of hydroton. and that comes with the liability of being a perfect nursey for all kinds of pathogens.
i'd trade that advantage to get rid of that disadvantage. i use hydroton as a decorative cover now, about all it's good for to me
 
rkymtnman

rkymtnman

Well-Known Member
... when you spill it and step on it with bare feet.


.... when you forget to wash it and you have clay slime at the bottom of your res.


...when all the small pieces somehow end up on the bottom of your netpot and fall out.
 
Jimdamick

Jimdamick

Well-Known Member
Big Perm said:
the water right out of this drain dish and feeds my new plants. I love it!
View attachment 4228026
Click to expand...
I don't understand your system.
You have both net pots, which are useless unless they are in a DWC/drip system, and also 4" Rockwool cubes.
What are you doing? Your not growing a full plant in the Rockwoll that way, right?
Also, with the Rockwool wrappers that you kept on, you are reducing the ability of the roots to breath (take them off)
I have used Hydroton for decades, and it works fine for me.
I have been using the same ones for years, all I do is rinse them between grows, and start over.
There's nothing bad about them in my opinion.
 
Big Perm

Big Perm

Well-Known Member
Jimdamick said:
I don't understand your system.
You have both net pots, which are useless unless they are in a DWC/drip system, and also 4" Rockwool cubes.
What are you doing? Your not growing a full plant in the Rockwoll that way, right?
Also, with the Rockwool wrappers that you kept on, you are reducing the ability of the roots to breath (take them off)
I have used Hydroton for decades, and it works fine for me.
I have been using the same ones for years, all I do is rinse them between grows, and start over.
There's nothing bad about them in my opinion.
Click to expand...
I didn't think anyone was paying close enough attention to notice.
I run coco, RDWC, and rockwool. I had a setup for lp aeroponics, also. I have four tents. Five with my indoor garden, and six including my dry tent. It's my hobby, so I try different things out. It's fun.
I was going to do a tent run in rockwool. Then I changed my mind. That's ok because I have plenty of room, and now I'll just use them for clones. Works for me. If I ever need to toss the plant I can take a clipping and put it in whatever.
I did kind of screw myself in one spot, though. I had my rockwool plants almost ready for flower in the veg tent when I decided to go RDWC in the tent the rockwool was supposed to go in. I thought I could get away with rockwool on/in hydroton, and am having a slight over watering problem. I'm sorting that out, but that tent will be regular RDWC in hydroton next go around, and I'll leave it that way because that was a lot of work.
About the net pots. I have the ones that go on the 5 gallon buckets, but I'm vegging in another tent that doesn't have the RDWC. I'm going to drip feed them in veg in a DWC tote until I drop them in the RDWC. I'm using regular net pots because I can pack them closer together in veg instead of packing them in there in the bucket pots. I can just drop the regular net pot into a regular lid cut for it when it goes to flower.
The pic was right after I put those plants in the hydroton. I cleaned and soaked it, then set them in there in an inch of water to wick. There are 5 more plants right behind those 3 not in the picture.
 
Last edited:
Big Perm

Big Perm

Well-Known Member
Jimdamick said:
I don't understand your system.
You have both net pots, which are useless unless they are in a DWC/drip system, and also 4" Rockwool cubes.
What are you doing? Your not growing a full plant in the Rockwoll that way, right?
Also, with the Rockwool wrappers that you kept on, you are reducing the ability of the roots to breath (take them off)
I have used Hydroton for decades, and it works fine for me.
I have been using the same ones for years, all I do is rinse them between grows, and start over.
There's nothing bad about them in my opinion.
Click to expand...
https://www.rollitup.org/t/my-rdwc.979078/
 
Big Perm

Big Perm

Well-Known Member
Big Perm said:
I didn't think anyone was paying close enough attention to notice.
I run coco, RDWC, and rockwool. I had a setup for lp aeroponics, also. I have four tents. Five with my indoor garden, and six including my dry tent. It's my hobby, so I try different things out. It's fun.
I was going to do a tent run in rockwool. Then I changed my mind. That's ok because I have plenty of room, and now I'll just use them for clones. Works for me. If I ever need to toss the plant I can take a clipping and put it in whatever.
I did kind of screw myself in one spot, though. I had my rockwool plants almost ready for flower in the veg tent when I decided to go RDWC in the tent the rockwool was supposed to go in. I thought I could get away with rockwool on/in hydroton, and am having a slight over watering problem. I'm sorting that out, but that tent will be regular RDWC in hydroton next go around, and I'll leave it that way because that was a lot of work.
About the net pots. I have the ones that go on the 5 gallon buckets, but I'm vegging in another tent that doesn't have the RDWC. I'm going to drip feed them in veg in a DWC tote until I drop them in the RDWC. I'm using regular net pots because I can pack them closer together in veg instead of packing them in there in the bucket pots. I can just drop the regular net pot into a regular lid cut for it when it goes to flower.
The pic was right after I put those plants in the hydroton. I cleaned and soaked it, then set them in there in an inch of water to wick. There are 5 more plants right behind those 3 not in the picture.
Click to expand...
After listening to myself ramble that plan isn't going to work out just yet either. My roots will probably entangle in Veg, SO I am going to have to make a mini RDWC...should be a fun build though. I'm all about building shit.
 
PetFlora

PetFlora

Well-Known Member
Roger A. Shrubber said:
as long as you get them good and clean before using them, no reason they shouldn't. the only advantage hydroton has is it's ability to absorb water and pass it to the next piece of hydroton. and that comes with the liability of being a perfect nursey for all kinds of pathogens.
i'd trade that advantage to get rid of that disadvantage. i use hydroton as a decorative cover now, about all it's good for to me
Click to expand...
by using various sizes of rock, crevices and pools are created that keep roots moist between feedings. AND, since they are fst draining, plants can be fed a lot more often. Think DWC without the downside
 
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