A Community and Forum For Aquaponic Gardeners
Media Based Systems
Information
This is a group for members who grow using media, such as gravel, Hydroton, expanded shale, etc.
Members: 197
Latest Activity: Nov 13, 2017
Discussion Forum
What media do you use?
Started by Sylvia Bernstein. Last reply by Dave & Yvonne Story Feb 4, 2015. 45 Replies 2 Likes
I'm a big fan of Hydroton, although I know it is crazy expensive...but you will have it forever. Lightweight and easy on my hands. Even looks nice. Ok, I know I'm sounding like a girl here. What…Continue
Tags: media, grow, community, aquaponics_forum, aquaponics
Siphon Guard
Started by Stephanie Bader. Last reply by TCLynx Oct 8, 2012. 19 Replies 0 Likes
As anyone ever used a siphon guard like this one? or made one like it? And how did you do it? Any pro's or cons to using one like this?…Continue
Perlite
Started by Eric Warwick. Last reply by Eric Warwick Oct 4, 2012. 11 Replies 0 Likes
How and for what purpose could you use perlite or vermiculite? Since these growing mediums are cheaper than hydroton and take the guess work out of buying gravel (bring some vinegar and baking…Continue
Tags: alternatives
Grow Beds
Started by Sylvia Bernstein. Last reply by Hydroponics Curacao Jul 29, 2012. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Tell us about your grow beds. Rubbermaid tubs? …Continue
Comment Wall
Comment
-
Comment by Bob Campbell on July 1, 2012 at 4:52pm
-
@Dave - I did try expanded shale the weight and cost for shipping has, in my mind, put expanded shale in 2nd place.
That's the thing about expanded shale, it's hard to find locally. I can buy it in Stockton, CA for only $89/yard, but it's a 250 mile round trip! If you can convince one of your Hydroponic stores or landscape material retailers to sell it then you may be able to get that cost down.
Just dreaming here, but if there are enough people in Tucson doing Hydroponic and Aquaponics maybe everyone could chip in and have a full truck load (35 cu yards) delivered.
-
Comment by Dave & Yvonne Story on July 1, 2012 at 3:20pm
-
I did try expaded shale the weight and cost for shipping has, in my mind, put expanded shale in 2nd place.
I like the weight and porous nature of GrowStones, but the desolving nature and cost of GrowStones makes it undesireable in my grow-beds.
-
Comment by Pices on July 1, 2012 at 1:59pm
-
I have had very good results with expanded shale in my media bed. The size is about 1/4 inch.
-
-
Grow Stones
Whoever saids they are dust free is not telling the truth, unless the glass shards are not considered dust. As this recycled glass rubs together in the growbed or in the bag (as it is purchased) it becomes dust glass shards. Some how I think all this glass in the bottom of a tank with my fish is not healthy for the fish.
I did try GrowStones. Pricing for recycled glass should be low when compared to clay beads brought in from Germany. In my experience, GrowStones did not work as well as Hydroton, but I am still looking for the best media for my future grow-beds.
-
Comment by TCLynx on February 6, 2012 at 12:40pm
-
hay Timothy, here is a thread over on BYAP of a system that has been under construction in your area.
-
-
first let me say, KUDOS
I am on a high tunnel listserv. Now I have a hoop.
anyway, send me an email (Dave@eStory.US) and I will show you some of the work being done at the UA aquaponic greenhouse. Minnesota should have a bunch of up and running systems. Go see what your neighbors are doing.. take it slow and have fun.
-
-
Hello I'm fresh to the group, we live in st,paul. We finished putting up our high tunnel just before new years( crazy minnesota weather). If you're from here you probably no about axman? While there looking for a cork we noticed a huge rubber thing, which turned out to be a 1500 gallon water storage tank and 3 1/4 hp pump from a civil defense emergency mobile hospital from 1964. I said to the brains of this operation I bet we could do fish in that, and she said maybe. After she did some research we learned that it had been lined with neopreme( which is safe for growing fish in) and we're now the owners of. Now I have the great joy of learning aqua ponics/hydroponics and high tunnel growing. I'm a urban farmer so I know how to grow in soil and I even make my own compost and vermiculture. I know I want to grow wheat grass, I'm thinking I want to try both methods raft and media. I'm researching how much media we need, and how many plant to clean the water. I know I'll likely have to figure out how many fish first. We welcome any suggestions are advice. Thank and look forward to corresponding with everyone.
-
-
come on down. see this stuff in a grow bed.
-
Comment by Sheri Schmeckpeper on December 23, 2011 at 5:43pm
-
Thanks for the links. I googled aquaponics stones and found nothing, but growstones give results. They sound very interesting!
-
-
David H. I like the pictures of your systems. I use homemade white PVC containers similar to yours. Have you tried growstones?
Growstones are not made for aquaponic systems because of the glass shard residue. After the residue is removed, we have Aquaponic Stones. I have two beds with this stuff now. Keeps my water cleaner than hydroton.
© 2025 Created by Sylvia Bernstein.
Powered by
You need to be a member of Media Based Systems to add comments!