Expanded Shale Specs, Please!

[Jeremy McLeod]

I've just spent a frustrating hour of Google searches attempting, in vain, to find a summary of the average specifications for Expanded Shale. I'm trying to compare prices/value of various ways to obtain the stuff.  The most critical spec for my needs is a good estimate of Weight per Volume (pounds per cubic something-or-others).  Any help (replies in this Forum or URLs or...) will be greatly appreciated.

[Homefire]

Jeremy,

Found this while searching under Hadite (after a geologist named Hade).   I have found much more on it before, don't know where now.  About a third of the granules float on water.

60 to 65 pcf.

 

Homefire

[Homefire]

Jeremy,

 

No wonder i couldn't find much, i mispelled Haydite.  The mother load of info is out there under Haydite.

 

Hf

[Jeremy McLeod]

Thanks, HF.  Amazing what's available when one knows the magic word!  Peace.  Jeremy

Homefire said:

Jeremy,

 

No wonder i couldn't find much, i mispelled Haydite.  The mother load of info is out there under Haydite.

 

Hf

[Rob Torcellini]

We provide some information about it at www.ExpandedShale.com.  You can get it from www.TheAquaponicSource.com.  If you have specific questions about it, I can help.  Thanks.

[Rob Torcellini]

I forgot to mention that we are doing a special promotion this month and giving away a bunch of sample packs and a 40 liter box.  There's info on the YouTube video at Shale Giveaway.  At the end of the video, there's also a $1 discount towards the purchase of a sample pack.

 

;-)

[Jacob]

Just curious if anyone has used the smaller 3/8" x 1/4" expanded shale in their AP system.  I am having a hard time finding a local source that has the larger 3/4"+ size.  Some people have said it may become clogged later down the road using the smaller 3/8".

 

[Meg Stout]

I had a hard time finding a local source, but allegedly you can contact the folks at Stalite.com to find out if they have a local distributor. The 3/4 Stalite is referred to as "coarse grade." I know I can get medium grade by weight (I think it was $160 per ton), but even though that is roughly the same size as hydroton, I think hydroton can work because it *is* round.

[Rob Torcellini]

Just butting in again about our shale product line.  I think you will find that 3/8 will be too fine.  My personal system still has some 3/8" granite in one of the grow beds and it's too fine.  I've found some washed into the plumbing and the impellers of one of my pumps.  The shale is lighter so it may wash in easier.

 

We sell the 3/4" grade.  This is not the typical aggregate that you would normally purchase.  Typically, the shale is crushed to fit through a 3/4" screen, including the fines.  After the kiln process, ours is screened a second time to remove the majority of the fines.  I use this in my system without any problem....personally, I wouldn't want to use anything larger than 3/4".

 

We can ship palatalized bags throughout the country.  Just my biased 2 cents worth.  ;-)

[Jeremy McLeod]

Rob Torcellini said:

We can ship palatalized bags throughout the country.  Just my biased 2 cents worth.  ;-)

 

WOW! Rob!! $.02 to ship a palette of shale!  That's a great deal! <grin>

[Rob Torcellini]

LOL.  I'll only charge you 2 cents for the pallet itself.  ;-)

Seriously, if you're on the fence on what to do, you could try a 4 cup sample pack to see what the material is like.  It's enough to fill four 3" pots.  Or use it has a big bean bag!