Possible local source for cheap hydro clay pellets

Stepheninky · December 4, 2010

Would this product work for hydroponics?

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=3678501

Expanded clay balls that are $9.99 for 25 lbs

Since I posted this also found coconut fiber blocks that might work too LOL,

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...52603#prodTab1

Might should have named this tread possibly local hydro substrate alliteratives.

Also found this product which might be an interesting way to add calcium and vitamins to soil less mixes

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...52660#prodTab1

TZ-OH6 · December 4, 2010

Look closely, that is 2.5 pounds, not 25 pounds (Pet supplies are always sky high).

I have bought a lot of different pellets over the years for orchid hydroponics, and the cheapest I have found for the high quality is/was LECA from Cropking, near Cleveland (hydroponic farm supplies--about $1 per lb), although I have seen Aliflor sold in Florida for less, and used to get "OrchidRock" at a Home Depot in Torrance CA pretty cheaply.

Another possibility (super cheap) is industrial LECA from local concrete mixing companies (aggregate for light weight concrete), but you would have to wash it well because of the dust/dirt.

RinTinTin · December 5, 2010

That coco fiber (coir) is $7.49 for about 2 gal. These people:

Hydro-Gardens

sell a 5 Gal. grow-bag with enough coco coir to fill it for under $3.

December 4, 2010	#1
Stepheninky Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 682	Possible local source for cheap hydro clay pellets Would this product work for hydroponics? http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=3678501 Expanded clay balls that are $9.99 for 25 lbs Since I posted this also found coconut fiber blocks that might work too LOL, http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...52603#prodTab1 Might should have named this tread possibly local hydro substrate alliteratives. Also found this product which might be an interesting way to add calcium and vitamins to soil less mixes http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...52660#prodTab1 Last edited by Stepheninky; December 4, 2010 at 07:15 PM.

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December 4, 2010	#2
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 847	Look closely, that is 2.5 pounds, not 25 pounds (Pet supplies are always sky high). I have bought a lot of different pellets over the years for orchid hydroponics, and the cheapest I have found for the high quality is/was LECA from Cropking, near Cleveland (hydroponic farm supplies--about $1 per lb), although I have seen Aliflor sold in Florida for less, and used to get "OrchidRock" at a Home Depot in Torrance CA pretty cheaply. Another possibility (super cheap) is industrial LECA from local concrete mixing companies (aggregate for light weight concrete), but you would have to wash it well because of the dust/dirt.

December 5, 2010	#3
RinTinTin Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle Posts: 581	That coco fiber (coir) is $7.49 for about 2 gal. These people: Hydro-Gardens sell a 5 Gal. grow-bag with enough coco coir to fill it for under $3.