Growing media

There are a couple different types of growing media. River gravel, slate and Hydroton(expanded clay pebbles). Whatever you choose it should be PH neutral and the three listed are. Don't try "Pea gravel" from a home improvement store. I did that and even after washing it the gravel had a oily substance on it. Plus it created a mess in the system.


The whole system had to broke down and cleaned.  If you want river gravel buy it from the pet store.  In the end I decided to use expanded clay pebbles.  Supposedly they do not make Hydroton anymore and you get expanded clay pebbles instead.  I really found no difference between the two except weight and color.


Here the washed media is shown. Hydroton on the left and expanded clay pebbles on the right.