Synthetic Balls, Easy Washy!!! DWC

[MeanBean]

Dude, I think I just smoked up another Idea.

F these hydro Balls, Why the hell are they porous??

Here’s the deets I keep my netpots about 2 inches from the water, and when I lift them up, the balls are dry.
So they aren’t holding shit but the plant in place, Why pores??
I am thinking of a new idea.
I am going to get 3- 4” netpots and then build a low pressure areo system in my 5 gal areo bucket. But No more Hydro Balls, I am going to use marbles. Totally sterile medium…..

If you can think of why I shouldn’t try this let me know now before I do it.

 

[Sam the Caveman]

If nothing else, it would make for a great photo.

Cannabis growing out of that would look great!

 

[watson540]

they are porous because they hold moisture

 

[MeanBean]

why do I want that???

 

[sensilivity]

Because it prevents the media from drying out. You don't want a bone dry net pot. The clay balls wick moisture up to the top.

 

[CaptainTrips]

They do hold water, but certainly you don't need a media that as much water as hydroton... Wonder how much 100L of clear marbles would cost... I'd use them lol.

 

[1quixotix]

Just go medium-less altogether. Find a pool-noodle without the center hole, cut off a 1/2" thick round slice, slip your cutting into/ through and rest in an 2" netpot. No need for a medium at all. Now a 2" netpot will topple over when the plant gets top heavy. Then you have to go for tomato cages!
1Q

 

[MeanBean]

Just go medium-less altogether. Find a pool-noodle without the center hole, cut off a 1/2" thick round slice, slip your cutting into/ through and rest in an 2" netpot. No need for a medium at all. Now a 2" netpot will topple over when the plant gets top heavy. Then you have to go for tomato cages!
1Q

Thats why I would still use the marbles, the plant would have something to hold on to!! I don't need/ want any moisture in the hydro balls, it just leaves a window for disease, if they get even a lil wet strange mold begin to grow...

 

[Andyo]

go on then

go on then

I thought this but after 15 years of hydroton and perfect crops and learning how to dry clean my balls im happy.
Still be most interesting to see the results without the trouble.A

 

[Capn]

Marbles weigh a lot more than hydroton. Suppose the marbles shift in the net cup, I foresee a high potential to cause damage to small and fragile roots until the roots become thicker and older.

I can agree tho, cleaning clay pellets isn't fun.
2 pennies!!!

 

[MeanBean]

Plastic balls then??

 

[Young Pumpkin]

I use pea gravel myself. Cheap, heavy, and seems to help hold the plant in place. Someone gave me some Hydroton but I didn't know the stuff would float. I have mixed some in to help lighten the net pots recently. No reason why marbles wouldn't work to me.

"learning how to dry clean my balls im happy" there's a real bad joke in that but I won't go there.............LOL

 

[Tr33]

the pores on hydoton have to do with beneficial bacterias. marbles cost more than hydoton, not worth the cost. good idea though.

 

[Mr.Meds]

Do it!!! just flood more often. Heavy isn't a problem it will keep it so your plants will be anchored better and your buckets won't fall over. I'm using river rock.

 

[iSMOKE.KUSH]

use shredded rubber! very soft and nice on the roots. as close to inert as you will find, and you can get it for dirt cheap. probably one of the best mediums.

never ever ever use black shredded rubber. get the red/brown kind.

 

[MarquisBlack]

Thats why I would still use the marbles, the plant would have something to hold on to!! I don't need/ want any moisture in the hydro balls, it just leaves a window for disease, if they get even a lil wet strange mold begin to grow...

Not to mention hydroton's ability to fuck with pH if not soaked and washed properly. Good idea dude. Worth trying. (Maybe smaller netpots than 4", or submerge the netpots in aerated solution to get the roots started, then transplant to aero when you get about 4-6" of roots dangling.)

 

[foomar]

Have seen plants growing in an ebb and flow useing broken tougthened glass as an inert medium , the 4 - 8 mm cubes hold enougth water by surface tension and in tiny trapped pockets , the sharp edges apparently did no damage to the root system but could draw blood if handled hard.

Very heavy material might be an issue in some setups but could be sourced free from glass suppliers or auto scrapyards , his crop did as well as in the hydroton he used previously.

 

[!!!]

Hydroton is great because it's practically weightless, and the pores help wick moisture and raise humidity directly above the layer of hydroton (kind of like how perlite works.)

I've used marbles in the past with success, but they add too much weight and if they aren't clear, light will go through. Just flood more often if you plan on using them.

Better yet, like tated earlier, just go medium-less. You can use a pool noodle like the previous poster said, or just neoprene inserts (s/he basically described a DIY neoprene insert.) I forgot what company does this but they have lids designed for flood trays with holes cut out on top, where you can anchor the plant.

Obviously flood more often if you go totally medium less. Dry roots are dead roots.

See http://www.icmag.com/ic/showthread.php?t=137937