A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners

Kentucky source for Hydroton

I live in south central Kentucky. Does anyone know of a local source for Hydroton or similar product? We have been using creek gravel. I will be setting up a training center to show locals how to do hydroponics from recycled materials. I want to show use of gravel, creek rock and hydroton.

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Vlad Jovanovic on March 3, 2013 at 7:17am

Hydroton (Okotau Industries) is no longer being made, so good luck with that one. (Though I imagine you can probably score some somewhere in internet-land...Amazon, craigslist etc...but then there would likely be 'significant' shipping costs and all...)

There is a similar LECA material/product called "Hydrocorn Gold" being sold in the US. It seems lighter and slightly more porous than hydroton (which is good) and probably therefor has a higher SSA (specific surface area) as well (again, a good thing).

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David - WI on March 3, 2013 at 7:54am

We have Hydroton (left) and HydroCorn (right).

The Hydroton is more "uniform" and heavier (95g in a 2" net pot) than the HydroCorn (79g to fill a 2" net pot). The best price I have seen, especially if you need more than a couple bags, is right here in the "store": AGC Store

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ben Stallings on March 4, 2013 at 8:24am

Hi, Susan. I can't speak for Kentucky, but here in Kansas I found expanded shale (I don't recall the brand, but it wasn't HydroCorn) for $5/25-lb bag at a landscape supply store. I had to rinse it carefully and pick out numerous pieces of limestone that were disguised by the reddish dust, but it's doing the trick.