![]() Hydroton rarely becomes clogged or blocked, so water drains very effectively. What does that mean? Larger pore spaces mean better percolation (flow of solution through the media), even when biofilms from algae and microbes cover the surfaces of the media, and even if some debris is captured in the pore spaces. While the biological surface area isn’t usually as high, the pore space is much higher. Larger aggregates like hydroton, pea gravel, and crushed granite have much larger space between each rock or pebble than perlite, sand, and other small particles. Read on for the pros and cons of using expanded clay pebbles like hydroton in your hydroponic or aquaponic systems. ![]() Clay pebbles can be used in both hydroponic and aquaponic systems. Because they’re so lightweight, easy for transplanting and harvesting, and easy on the hands, they’re a favorite of small producers using media bed or Dutch bucket techniques. Got Any Questions? Ask in the comments or contact us and let’s see if we can answer your questions.Why Clay Pebbles are One of Our Top picks for Small GrowersĬlay pebbles or hydroton (sometimes referred to as LECA-light expanded clay aggregate) are a hydroponic substrate with units about the size of marbles or peanuts. Ready to try making your own? Continue on to How to Build Your Own Bubble Bucket -> While not the best option if you want to grow a forest, they make growing very productive in small scale. They are easy to setup and use, and need minimal maintenance. Being able to mix nutrients, test pH, and easily transport a bucket without having to figure out where to put the plant while you change its water is a huge time saver.īubble buckets are an ideal way to get into indoor hydroponics. To make the method even easier, get an extra bucket. Once you are set up, you need to watch the water levels and change the plant’s nutrients when appropriate. One of the best features of the Bubble Bucket is how little maintenance it requires. In the past, hydrostone was a harder-to-find specialty item, but with the growing popularity of indoor hydroponic gardening, you can find it in garden supply and hardware stores alike. Hydrostone, pellets of porous super-heated terracotta clay, will provide your plant the support it needs, hold moisture to keep the roots healthy, and won’t spill into your water reservoir. The last thing you want is to lose a promising pepper plant and accidentally flood your room because the lid cracked under the weight of your hydroponic gardening skills.īecause the Bubble Bucket has a closed-circulation water reservoir, using soil or coco coir as your grow medium isn’t going to work. For more than one, using 3 inch net pots, in evenly spaced holes to maintain the structural integrity of the lid. With a single plant, keep your net pot under 6 inches. The air pump aerates the water and mixes your nutrients, so you can be largely hands off between nutrient changes.Ī single Bubble Bucket can support from 1-4 plants, depending on the size of the bucket and how large the plants will grow. Think of the Bubble Bucket as a fish tank that grows plants on purpose. They are typically made with 5 or 3.5 gallon contractor buckets (picture the ubiquitous Home Depot orange pail), a lid with holes for net cups, and an air pump and stone. This is a simple and reliable way to grow a small number of large plants, but big plants cause issues changing the water out unless you have the forethought to add a drain to the bucket H ow does the Bubble Bucket Work?Ī Bubble Bucket is exactly what it sounds like – a bucket with bubbling water. The plant roots are placed in aerated nutrient liquid which you change out once a week or every 2 weeks. ![]() Probably the easiest way to get into ‘real’ hydroponics, the bubble bucket is a single-site, Deep Water Culture (DWC) system. ![]() The Bubble Bucket is inexpensive, effective, and quick to get going, making it an ideal introductory system for someone looking to test their hydroponic gardening skills. The easiest entry into full-blown hydroponics is the Bubble Bucket.
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