Hydroton + Airs tone upkeep

Two questions, this is to avoid creating two threads.


First, I know there are many methods to washing hydroton, but I was hoping I could get a few things clarified so that I could figure out a method that works for me.

1) Is boiling hydroton a good way to clean it (I would strain them after)?
2) Do I have to ph the water on the final soaking?
3) Are the broken rocks usable if cleaned thoroughly, or are they better thrown away?
4) Anything else I should know?

My setup is not that big so I am not necessarily interested in efficient ways to clean large amounts, just cleaning tips in general.

Second, my air stones.

1) Do I need to do anything to them after each grow?
2) If I am not going to be using them for a while, where do I keep them?
3) If they do get dirty how do I clean them?
4) Is it true if they dry they die?
5) Anything else?

Thank you all so much!

Are you high? For realz? "If they get dry they die"?

OMFG! Just use your air stones and when they get old replace them. Or boil them. They are like a few bucks.

No, you don't have to boil your hydroton. Wash that stuff out in hot water in a container in the bath tub. Maybe soak them a while with a little peroxide or bleach if they all funky looking with algae or something on them. NOT BOTH AT THE SAME TIME EVER! Then rinse them A FEW MORE times and strain all the loose grit out. No you don't have to pick out the broken pieces. Yes you should set up your equipment and PH it and let it run a while. If everything is cool drop u some stuff in the water and plant.

Lol dries it dies. Thats for ph probes. Ive let old air stones sit bubbling in h2o2 diluted to about 10% for a few hours. Cleaned em enough. But that wasnwith those $18 dollar micropore air stones. Those cheap blue ones are meant to throwaway theyre only $1.8