Ya know Duchie, I've been thinking more and more about that too. RDWC seems to attract peeps who want to grow big fast plants and want to keep their plant numbers down. I wonder though; if I were to just keep my tray constantly flooded, with water constantly recirculating between tray and res, wouldn't it be kind of the same thing? Providing a constant stream of highly oxygenated nutrient solution? Yes/no?
I switched from hydroton to Sunleaves Grow rocks this last cycle and let me tell you guys who use 'ton, TRY THE GROW ROCKS!!!!!!! Here's why:
1) really easy to prepare right out of the bag. Much cleaner product than hydroton.
2) it's heavier than hydroton, so your plants are less likely to tip over in a SOG using small pots.
3) plants grow really well in it, I had a massive yield on my last run.
4) It is VERY easy to recycle. Shake the root ball and it all falls out. Root hairs do not penetrate the rocks. You guys who wash used hydroton know what that means.
5) lastly, it doesn't look like orange balls, more like gray gravel. So if you spill some, it doesn't go off bouncing and rolling all over the place. And if you DO decide to throw some out, it looks like something from the natural world.
Oh, and it might be slightly cheaper than hydroton.
Happy Sunday, 600ers. Spare a thought for brother Doob today.