Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media Review
Product Review: Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media
Company: Amazon via seller BWGS; seller rating – 4.4 stars out of 5
Price Range: $6-20
Who Would Buy This:
Hydroponic enthusiasts who are looking for a quality grow media that not only allows sufficient oxygen in, but also provides excellent root support and moisture retention would love using Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media.
The purpose Hydroton clay aggregate is to help prevent root rot because the root system cannot receive enough oxygen to prevent them from becoming soggy and the grow media bogged down with water.
Pros:
One of the primary benefits to using Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media is the way it supports the root system of your hydroponic plants. It’s not too snug of a fit that it doesn’t allow enough oxygen in, and the clay balls also pack tightly enough that they provide amazing moisture retention compared to many other hydroponic grow mediums.
If you purchase Hydroton grow media, then you will most likely find that a little bit goes a long way; most people find that they can easily fill up their hydroponic net pots and still have plenty of clay aggregate left over for the next project.
Another great benefit to using clay aggregate over other grow mediums is that it doesn’t promote root rot or support pests, like fungus gnats. Make sure you take the time to wash off the clay balls before you add them to your hydroponic system because the grow media is not prewashed – if you don’t clean it first, you will chance unreliable nutrient/EC readings.
Cons:
The only downside to purchasing a package of Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media is the price – at around $20 a bag, it can get a little bit expensive. However, considering the quality of the grow media, and the fact that you won’t be wasting money on plants that die from root rot because you’re using an inferior grow medium, you’ll quickly forget about the cost.
In the grand scheme of things, it’s much cheaper to buy a quality grow medium, like clay aggregate, in the first place than have to continually replace dead hydroponic plants. Just make sure you always purchase a quality liquid fertilizer, like the General Hydroponics Flora Series (link), because the clay hydro media does not contain any type of nutrients.
Value for money?
Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media is a top notch product that will help ensure your success with your indoor hydroponic system. If you have more than one system to fill up, then you will get the best deal by purchasing your clay grow medium online because they cost a lot more at most local specialty shops.
Where to buy:
Click Here for the best price on Hydroton Clay Aggregate Grow Media
Categories: Hydroponic Mediums Tags: clay aggregate grow media, hydroton clay aggregate, hydroton grow media
Overview of Hydroponic Mediums
Although the traditional method of growing hydroponic plants involves suspending the roots in water, there are also other growing methods that use different types of hydroponic mediums instead.
Here are a few of the most widely used hydroponic mediums:
1. Vermiculite. This a great hydroponic medium because it has the ability to draw in water and nutrients to the roots of your plants – this circulation happens as a result of the vermiculite “pebbles” absorbing the nearby water. You can find vermiculite at most home and garden stores for a relatively low cost – perlite can also be used, as well.
2. Gravel or sand. If you’re looking for an easy, low cost way to get started with a hydroponic garden, then you may want to consider checking out sources of gravel or sand. The type of gravel used in a hydroponic system is the same aquarium-safe kind that you will readily find at a pet store – just make sure you choose the smaller pebbles. Sand is easily obtained at pet stores, pool supply stores, and hardware stores – just make sure you wash it well, and plan on cleaning it in between uses, as well. If you’re trying to decide between sand and gravel, go with the bag of gravel because it drains better than sand does.
sand can be used as a hydroponic medium
3. Rock wool. If you’ve been researching how to make a hydroponic system, then you’re probably already familiar with the concept of using rock wool because it’s a very popular medium because it’s very efficient at circulating water and waste – another name for rock wool is mineral wool. However, it’s important to note that rock wool is classified as a potential carcinogen, meaning that it can cause cancer, which is one of the reasons that some hydroponic gardeners are reluctant to use it.
If you plan on using a hydroponic medium with your indoor garden plants, then you will need to make sure you still use a quality liquid fertilizer – just like you would if you were only growing them in a water suspension. None of the hydroponic mediums provide nutrients for your plants, and neglecting to add a fertilizer mixture will quickly kill them.
Categories: Grow Herbs Indoors, How to Make a Hydroponic System, Hydroponic Mediums, Hydroponic Vegetables Tags: diy hydroponics, how to set up a hydroponic system, hydroponic gravel, hydroponic mediums, hydroponic perlite, hydroponic rock wool, hydroponic sand, hydroponic vermiculite, liquid plant fertilizer, mineral wool, types of hydroponic mediums