What is the quickest way to clean hydroton?

[ynot-llat]

Simple and effective.
T.I.A

 

[geopolitical]

Build yourself a big screen out of 1/4" hardware cloth and firing strips, pour in hydrotron, rinse off with a hose.

 

[jm420]

onoion bag in the dishwasher workls for me

 

[MAZEinaHAZE]

if really salty and nasty.....boil them and pour into a collander

 

[one Q]

it all depends on how much. 1 gallon worth from a bunch of little net cups or lots of gallons worth from a large grow.

Here's what I read long ago and have made a post here try to spread around...

Fill washing machine with warm/hot water and stop the machine when it's full.

Pour about 5gallons of H.ton in and swoosh around w/ your arm to loosed roots. let it soak w/ clearX or some shit if wanted.

Skip to spin cycle.

Clean Hydro ton

Love those

 

[BlindDate]

Throw it away and buy new Hydroton.

Just kidding.....Build yourself a rotating barrel and flood one end with a hose. Like a rock tumbler with water flowing through it.

 

[sammyz2646]

I actually bought a small concrete mixer and used it. The only problem is that i didnt use H202 to disinfect and since hydroton is so porous, it seems to retain salts and bacteria. It does work but I would use some bleach and/or h202 with a generous rinse afterwards. To be honest, I have found that the labor and costs involved with the cleaning of hydroton, it is best to just replace it with new material. Then you know it is 100% good. I am back to using rockwool after about three years doing DWC. PEACE

 

[PetFlora]

I am switching to Sure To Grow products

 

[jm420]

they give free sample, i didnt like it

 

[UNREGISTRD]

hydroton is toooo much work.... THrow it away and eliminate it from your equation!!

 

[geopolitical]

It's really not with the right rig. I used mine for years with a screen for cleaning. Cleanup of a 2000w grow took maybe 25-35 minutes total in wash down and that was if I was being really thorough.

That being said, when I switched to mostly mediumless setups I ended up ditching 90% of the stuff. It makes great drainage fill.

 

[SKUNK420]

I like Geo's and BlindDates idea for large amounts. Throwing it out is not eco-friendly. For small amounts I drilled a bunch of hole in a 5 ga. bucket and stir it around with a wooden stick to get all the roots to fall off.
Cleaning hydroton sucks if you don't have a backyard to use. I would use hot water and make sure it dries completely out before storing because if you put it in a bucket or tub with a lid, mold will start to grow.

 

[SpasticGramps]

I have a huge fishing net that I put in the shower and dump a 50 l bag into. I then hose it down real good and/or pick through it if it is reused stuff. It works pretty well. I'm switching to Coco though. I love hydroton for growing, but fuck cleaning it.

 

[CovertCrops]

i just put in a laundry sink and a T off of my cold water washer line goes to a garden hose. Take a piece of hardware cloth and form it to fit the sink. Pour in hydroton, wash with hose. I wash about 20-30 gallons of it in about 20 min or so. My body couldnt take stooping over the tub. I used to hate washing hydroton, now its over before i know it.

 

[GroDoc]

Large plastic garbage can

Large plastic garbage can

Get a large rubbermaid garbage can. Pour em in. Fill with water. Stir. Wait. Stir. Drain through small hole at bottom of can. Repeat. Maybe not ideal but works for me. peace

 

[cygnus]

My use HT goes in the outdoor veggie garden and mixed in with my soil. Only new HT in my indoor garden. And very little at that. I only use it for my mothers in DWC now.

 

[Cranberry]

I use a plastic wheel barrel to work over my lava rocks and HT mix. I fill, work around, get roots out, can sanatize then fill pots and do two good rinses. works for me.

But I am thinking about finding an old washer thanks for the idea on that one.

Washing your HT and or lava rocks should never be done in the house.. the small peices and grit will ruin you drain lines at best. I have read some funny story's of guys plugging up the house.. Explain that to the land lord..