Looking for Rockwool alternative

[CoryTrevor]

Is there something else I can use with a bubbleponics system than rockwool?

 

[Mineralz]

Haiz Trevor. Some people use rapid rooter pellets as well. I always had the idea if I got tired of rockwool or felt it wasnt giving me everything I needed from it as some point, I was gonna try the pellets. My idea was to germ the seed until taproot....transfer into the pellet(which is some kind of mulch?), wait until the plant popped then do a "double-stacker" and try to fit the pellet into an actual rockwool cube. I figured this way the actual makeup of the pellet wouldnt drop into my rez and the seedlings wouldnt have to actually be touched thereby decreasing risk of shock etc. Just a thought. Times are changing as must we Good luck happy growing

 

[CoryTrevor]

Haiz Trevor. Some people use rapid rooter pellets as well. I always had the idea if I got tired of rockwool or felt it wasnt giving me everything I needed from it as some point, I was gonna try the pellets. My idea was to germ the seed until taproot....transfer into the pellet(which is some kind of mulch?), wait until the plant popped then do a "double-stacker" and try to fit the pellet into an actual rockwool cube. I figured this way the actual makeup of the pellet wouldnt drop into my rez and the seedlings wouldnt have to actually be touched thereby decreasing risk of shock etc. Just a thought. Times are changing as must we Good luck happy growing

After reading about how rockwool is a lot like asbestos in ways, I don't even want to mess around with it.

 

[pwizzle]

I use jiffy7 peat pellets and 100%perlite

 

[Flo Grow]

Rapi rooters are inert and do not need to be PH'd before use, like shitwool.
Minerlaz, you're doing too much with the "stacking" and dropping a rooter into some shitwool bcuz it can still give you the potential problems of PH imbalances and such.
Pre-soak, not dropping if held in the air, the rooter with a mild veg feed ( like 100ppm's ) or just plain water if you're using tap.
Drop the tap root in, sit the rooter in the pot on about 2 inches of hydroton and then fill in all around until it's secure.
I keep the top of my rooters level with the top of the net pot, which is a good measure for more.

 

[faithfulmastiff]

just to throw another option in....​

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STG Advantages for Growers:

• Superior aeration and water retention
  (73:27 water to air)
• Quicker germination
• Increased yields
• pH neutral
• Inert, sterile
• No nutrient salt build-up
• Lower incidence of disease, molds and fungus

• Compatible with major growing systems.
• Light-weight, clean and hygienic
• Ready to use - no pre-soaking or conditioning required.
• No mess, no clean-up, no measuring
• No irritating fibers
• Indefinite shelf life
• Lower product cost, lower freight
• Disposal and eco friendly

STG GROW BLOCKS

Recommended for long-term hydroponic crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers or plants with a large root mass.

• Available in 2 sizes - 4” and 6”.
• A superior substrate than rockwool blocks and cocofiber (coir) blocks.

Special Features:

• 1 ½” Rectangular cut-out for insertion of STG Grow Cubes
• Plastic sleeves to reduce heat buildup and algae formation
• Compatible with STG Grow Slabs and Flood & Drain Mats

​

 

[taipanspunk]

just to throw another option in....​

​

STG Advantages for Growers:

• Superior aeration and water retention
  (73:27 water to air)
• Quicker germination
• Increased yields
• pH neutral
• Inert, sterile
• No nutrient salt build-up
• Lower incidence of disease, molds and fungus

• Compatible with major growing systems.
• Light-weight, clean and hygienic
• Ready to use - no pre-soaking or conditioning required.
• No mess, no clean-up, no measuring
• No irritating fibers
• Indefinite shelf life
• Lower product cost, lower freight
• Disposal and eco friendly

STG GROW BLOCKS

Recommended for long-term hydroponic crops such as tomatoes and cucumbers or plants with a large root mass.

• Available in 2 sizes - 4” and 6”.
• A superior substrate than rockwool blocks and cocofiber (coir) blocks.

Special Features:

• 1 ½” Rectangular cut-out for insertion of STG Grow Cubes
• Plastic sleeves to reduce heat buildup and algae formation
• Compatible with STG Grow Slabs and Flood & Drain Mats

​

YES YES YES YES!!!! I think this is the best stuff, and it doesn't mess with your pH...

 

[faithfulmastiff]

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can also get this as a lose fill too, i'm getting some next couple weeks​

​

Sure To Grow products are designed to benefit growers and users by using a unique substrate and a technology designed for the 21st century. Sure To Grow is lighter, cleaner and less bulky than any other medium currently on the market. You will find that with Sure To Grow, less is truly more.STG Advantages for Growers: Compatible with major growing systems Light, clean and hygienic Requires no presoaking, no pre-conditioning No itchy, irritating fibers Does not interfere with nutrient EC and pH No mess, no clean-up, no pre-conditioning Indefinite shelf life Lower product cost, lower freight costSTG Advantages for Plants: Quicker germination and higher yields Optimal aeration and water retention Inert, sterile and pH neutral No nutrient salt build-up Less incidence of disease, molds and fungusSURE TO GROW LOOSE FILLUsed to fill: Bato Buckets, Dutch Pots, Grow Bags, Net Pots, Stacking Vertical System, Growing Tubes and Nursery Pots. Superior alternative to loose media and granulated products, including granulated rockwool, coir, perlite, vermiculite, expanded clay, clay balls and grow rocks. Suitable for filling containers as a stand-alone media or as an amendment to soilless mixes and other organic media.


dunno about you guys but i'm seriously intrequed & almost sold on the stuff

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they even do inserts​

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[pwizzle]

Honestly you can use anything as a grow medium with dwc.
I've even seen fish tank gravel used instead of hydroton or perlite.
As long as the roots can push their way through it, you can use it.
I have a theory/invention I want to try out.
I want to make like jello blocks, not flavored but gelatin that will cure like jello, and mix in root hormones and a small nute feed. throw some clones in there and you could watch the roots grow through.
Imagine a big 12"x12" block of this gelatin type stuff. It would give a new view to watching roots
or just a small 1" cube you can throw a small clone into and throw it into the system.
I think I'm onto something.

 

[faithfulmastiff]

Honestly you can use anything as a grow medium with dwc.
I've even seen fish tank gravel used instead of hydroton or perlite.
As long as the roots can push their way through it, you can use it.
I have a theory/invention I want to try out.
I want to make like jello blocks, not flavored but gelatin that will cure like jello, and mix in root hormones and a small nute feed. throw some clones in there and you could watch the roots grow through.
Imagine a big 12"x12" block of this gelatin type stuff. It would give a new view to watching roots
or just a small 1" cube you can throw a small clone into and throw it into the system.
I think I'm onto something.

that reminds me of like something they did on mythbusters with the bamboo growing through the bulletin gel

 

[CoryTrevor]

After reading about how rockwool is a lot like asbestos in ways, I don't even want to mess around with it.

I misread the wiki. It's not considered a carcinogen.