diatomaceous earth as hydroponic medium

[maryanne3087]

Has anyone tried this?

I once read a post by Heath Robinson saying this was a good hydro media and I thought he just smoked too much that night and typoed. Apparently it can be used for a hydroponic medium but I wonder how good it is? Apparently the size varies between 1micron and 1millimeter with a mean size of 10-200 microns. It's used extensively as a soilless medium for bonsai plants and various trees and wikipedia claims it can be used in hydroponics as a substitute for expanded clay, perlite, or vermiculite. So I figure this stuff is legit and can be used... is it a wise choice?

If anyone hasn't read about the uses of diatomaceous earth I suggest checking out wikipedia or any information page on the stuff. The stuff is used for so many things. Is it good for hydroponics though?

Cheers,
MA3087

 

[cyat]

He was talking about something like higromite or diatomite not the oildri from napa , kitty litter or the powder.

 

[przcvctm]

I tried doing a mini-hempy (8 oz) with a calcined diatomaceous product called Axis Regular. It's the same average size as perlite and can be had at the local feed store.

I found that it wicked so strongly that it held the reservoir half way up the cup, above the hempy-hole. My guess is that the size of the cup had a lot to do with that. So, it wicks well and holds up to 114% of it's weight in water of which it releases most of that back to the roots according to the literature.

If I fail one more time at organics, I'm seriously thinking of mixing Axis with pumice and/or Higromite in a hempy or just dtw.

 

[maryanne3087]

He was talking about something like higromite or diatomite not the oildri from napa , kitty litter or the powder.

That makes a lot of sense.

Higromite is some expensive stuff, far less exciting that if oildri were a good medium.

Thank you.

 

[cyat]

Stabledri oildri kitty litter they worked for me before layered w soil hand watered stay very wet attracts gnats too
Higromite etc. are good for hydro and can replace clay balls cost about the same

 

[Carboy]

I tried doing a mini-hempy (8 oz) with a calcined diatomaceous product called Axis Regular. It's the same average size as perlite and can be had at the local feed store.

I found that it wicked so strongly that it held the reservoir half way up the cup, above the hempy-hole. My guess is that the size of the cup had a lot to do with that. So, it wicks well and holds up to 114% of it's weight in water of which it releases most of that back to the roots according to the literature.

If I fail one more time at organics, I'm seriously thinking of mixing Axis with pumice and/or Higromite in a hempy or just dtw.

Axis has another grade called "Coarse". It is harder to source because they don't put in the regular bags. Have to get a palletized "super sack". Awesome shit. Use it straight by itself or mix w/ about anything ---- coco peat perlite soil. My favorite is w/ Growstones and enough coco (say 10-20%) to kinda hold it together and to be sure it wicks. The media turns out super light and airy but w/ plenty of moisture holding. A DTW dream. The Axis has a great CEC too. Somebody ought to be offering this in the Hydro stores.
CB

 

[U.G.U]

My buddy at santee hydro in san diego has 50lb bags of DE for use as a hydro medium. I have yet to try it but, they have a bunch of sample plants like peppers and tomatos growing it and they are doing well. The guy scott that works there is the one that suggested it he has a degree in soil science so it must be good.

 

[idoreallytry]

yeah i used a dyna rock for the base of my coco/promix pots, best roots i ever had, compared to the other plants in the room i used hydroton on,,,so heath knows his shit for sure,,,,peace

 

[Carboy]

yeah i used a dyna rock for the base of my coco/promix pots, best roots i ever had, compared to the other plants in the room i used hydroton on,,,so heath knows his shit for sure,,,,peace

Dyna-Roc and Axis are basically the same mined diatomaceous rock.
Dyna is mined by Maidenwell in Australia. Axis by Eagle-Pitcher near Reno. There are some other mines near where EP's are but I don't know names. Don't have the screen sizing in front of me but Coarse is like small gravel. A cubic foot weighs 25lbs. Holds its weight in H20. The finer grades are obviously heavier on a volume basis and naturally hold more water. No comparison on cost between DR & Axis when you add all the freight and the customs bullshit to the total. Axis is primarily marketed to golf courses, ballfields, turf and custom blenders for greenhouses --- volume users. EP couldn't care less about the hydro game. But if you want to step up to the plate, any Axis dealer can get ya 1K pounds or so!!
CB