Light medium for vertical system

[Hydroponics Curacao]

Does anyone know a light weighted medium I can use for my vertical aquaponics system?

[Rick Stillwagon]

Perlite is pretty light. Expanded clay is not too heavy.  But unless you keep the plants small you will have considerable weight in biomass and water retention.  The design should be able to hold twice your anticipated weight at least.  Should you pick it up and it bounce it, the force could collapse your structure if not designed properly. Don't forget our old friend Murphy: Anything that can go wrong, will.

[Hydroponics Curacao]

I dont know how much weight the design can hold that's why I want a light weighted medium. The design will have a pvc bottom in square form. At each side of the square, a pvc will come that will be the vertical system. This will be standing in my fish pond



Rick Stillwagon said:

Perlite is pretty light. Expanded clay is not too heavy.  But unless you keep the plants small you will have considerable weight in biomass and water retention.  The design should be able to hold twice your anticipated weight at least.  Should you pick it up and it bounce it, the force could collapse your structure if not designed properly. Don't forget our old friend Murphy: Anything that can go wrong, will.

[Rick Stillwagon]

Then you might want to try the Matala type material that is similar to that in the zip grow towers.  It is a filter media used in bio filters. Cant get any lighter than that.

[Hydroponics Curacao]

I will look for that. Thanks!



Rick Stillwagon said:

Then you might want to try the Matala type material that is similar to that in the zip grow towers.  It is a filter media used in bio filters. Cant get any lighter than that.