cleaning hydroton

[cmd420]

I've had trouble for years with the pH of my solution.. I use new hydroton for each grow, so I'm thinking of using hydroton that has already been through a grow and stabilized pH..


Do folks use just water? Bleach solution? What works for ya'll?

 

[pcduck]

Hydroton clay pebbles are made from pH neutral
clay. So I do not think this is causing your pH stabilization problems

I reuse mine and I clean it with a weak solution of bleach and water

 

[Lemon Jack]

That must get expensive not reusing youe hydroton...Like pc said its supposedly ph neutral, but I believe if you don't clean it well when you get it then it will throw off your ph.. the stuff is really really dusty ya know.

 

[Locked]

I am a dirt guy but hve dabbled in DWC and used hydroton when I did....it needs a real good cleaning when you first get it. It's real dusty...when I reused it next time I tried hydro again I did like pc. Jmo

 

[Growdude]

PH neutral = 7 so I do believe it tends to raise my PH until its conditioned well.

 

[Hushpuppy]

Yep, I think with any medium that is very porous, it will need to be conditioned before using it or it will cause the PH to get off one direction or other.

 

[pcduck]

Hydroton is also inert.

So there should not a pH issue.

Definition of inert in chemistry, not readily reacting with other elements or compounds

 

[ishnish]

I reuse my hydroton and just give it a good hot water bath. Haven't had any noticeable problems thus far. (Note: I make sure the drain in the sink is only slightly open so the little pieces don't end up in the drain.)

 

[The Hemp Goddess]

I do like ishnish--I just rinse with nice warm water. I put mine in a 5 gal bucket with a large cheesecloth paint strainer in it. I spray the hydrotron off well with the shower nozzle while swishing the hydrotron around in the bucket. I pick out any small leaf bits that I might have missed and pull the strainer with the hydrotron in it and let it dry off some.

 

[cmd420]

I do like ishnish--I just rinse with nice warm water. I put mine in a 5 gal bucket with a large cheesecloth paint strainer in it. I spray the hydrotron off well with the shower nozzle while swishing the hydrotron around in the bucket. I pick out any small leaf bits that I might have missed and pull the strainer with the hydrotron in it and let it dry off some.

I still have my used hydroton from the last grow, so I'll give this method a try..
I was thinking about using two buckets.. to avoid a buildup of residue in each, but this seems more simple..