Zayne Posted October 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 Tauranga City Number 427 Cameron Road Ph (07) 579 9840 Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 after reading the court files in the local paper i think there are a lot of switched on gardeners in tauranga Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 from the wedsite Clay Hydroton is a common medium used in hydroponic systems. It holds water extremely well and transmits it effectively. The pellets are uniform in size (4-8mm) and have an attractive, natural appearance. Hydroton is chemically inert, has a neutral pH, is reusable, clean and odourless. from that i take it that doesn't dissolve as it is reusable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N1CK Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 after reading the court files in the local paper i think there are a lot of switched on gardeners in tauranga Schweet I think theres one somewhere by the animates ?? EDIT: I was right :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: from the wedsite from that i take it that doesn't dissolve as it is reusable It was an example :roll: it could also leach ammonia, nitirites, ect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingart Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 chemically inert? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 from that i take it that doesn't dissolve as it is reusable It was an example :roll: it could also leach ammonia, nitirites, ect Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix44 Posted October 21, 2009 Report Share Posted October 21, 2009 chemically inert implies that it does not react with any thing else under normal conditions. leaching on the other hand is not something it mentions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maoripho3nix Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I know this is an old post, but has anyone tried these??? Did anyone get to a testing phase??? I looked into it recently, from what i have read hydroton is 100% natural heated clay,this makes the clay expand and become porous, the clay is tested often for quality assurance. Dust free, doesnt break down, and no discharge. Holds oxygen and not much water, can be used repeatedly (lasts a long time) if properly cleaned and sterilized. pH stabilized. however i did read in second quote it doesn't hold nutrients?????? http://www.plantlightinghydroponics.com/hydroton-clay-grow-rocks-10-liter-p-422.html * pH stabilized, non-toxic expanded clay * Reusable if properly sterilized * Superior oxygen holding capacity * Low water holding capacity * Blend with CocoTek for a superior hydroponic medium * Stimulates root development http://www.trademe.co.nz/Home-living/Outdoor-garden-conservatory/Other/auction-272936192.htm Hydroton is a common medium used in hydroponic systems. It holds water extremely well and transmits it effectively. The pellets are uniform in size.small 4 - 8mm 4.5kg pack. Great for orchids, house plants, hydro-culture etc. Clay balls (expanded clay) which have properties of high water storage and balanced capillary action which accelerate plant growth. Manufactured in Germany from a renewable and plentiful source (clay), it is considered an ecologically sustainable medium. The clay is formed into pellets and then fired in rotary kilns at 1200C. This causes the clay to expand inside, like popcorn and it becomes porous. Expanded Clay pellets are lightweight, do not compact and are completely reusable - they can be cleaned and sterilized after use. They are also inert, pH neutral and contain no nutrients. Because the pellets drain freely and don't hold excessive water, they provide good oxygen levels around the root zone. Beware of cheaper, lower quality clay balls. Other brands are available (usually from China), but consider the following points before deciding. * Expanded Clay is fully imported from Germany * Expanded Clay is tested by the University of Hokenheim every two months as part of the quality control program * Expanded Clay is dust free. * Expanded Clay pellets are of a consistent size and shape Clay Balls are excellent growth medium, holding water and nutrient for 5-6 days and releasing them at a controlled rate These superior Expanded clay balls, made specifically for the hydroponic growing industry are now available from They are pH neutral so no hassle bringing pH down with new balls. Their regular shapes give increased surface area to mass ratio, thus absorbing and releasing liquids more efficiently. The regular shapes also allow for more air to pass around the roots. Clay Balls can be re-used 4-5 times as long as they are well cleaned in between usage. Maybe not so nutrient based as other aquatic plant nutrient products, but a natural looking substrate?? Maybe it can be used with JBL balls. If anyone has tested please comment. If it was a success it would be good to know because its soooo cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 23, 2010 Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 My guess is that it is simply an inert media used around the roots in a hydropnic system just like rockwool or other inert media. The food in hydropnics comes from the liquid they are in contact with so it should be similar to gravel but more expensive and lighter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maoripho3nix Posted March 3, 2010 Report Share Posted March 3, 2010 Bought some of the hydroton clay today, went to wash it as you do with all substrates, found that 90% of the fired clay floats on top or mid water. The other 10% once sifted out i guess could be used for a gravel, the smallest size you can buy aint that small, bout the size of a fingernail on your smallest finger. Its not really that attractive, if they made smaller pellets then maybe yes. Still not a good idea to use this as the oxygen retained in most of the pellets makes it very light, if you were to put a layer of fine gravel on top, the clay would most likely sift out and float, making the fine gravel sink underneath it. HTH anyone who was willing to give it a shot like myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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