Hydroponic

Hydroponics, Aeroponics, Aquaponics - Part 2: Hydrocorrels

Hydroponics with hydrocorrels (expanded clay)

Hydrocorrels are fired clay pellets that are very suitable for hydroponic systems and can be used again and again. The clay granules are PH-neutral and, unlike rock wool, can only store a little water. If hydrocorrels are used, continuous irrigation with a recirculating system is particularly recommended. Systems such as the Dutch-Pot or the Aquafarm from General Hydroponics have proven themselves here. Here, the water flows permanently and the oxygen content in the hydrocorrels is very high, resulting in extreme root growth. It has been shown that continuous irrigation has a positive effect on the pH value and the oxygen content. Before first use, the hydrocorrels should be washed and soaked in water for a few hours, which stabilises the pH value. When a system is put into operation for the first time, it often happens that the pH value fluctuates at first, but this will regulate itself after a few days. With recirculating systems, the water in the entire system is changed at least once during a grow. It is best to do this in the third or fourth week of flowering. The nutrient solution should be constantly in motion and the pH and EC value must be checked daily and adjusted if necessary. At the beginning the pH value should be 5.8-6.0, from the third week of flowering it should be between 5.5 and 5.8.

  • Recommended pH value for the initial period: 5.8-6.0
  • Recommended pH value from the third week of flowering: 5.5-5.8

GHEpanda Hydroponics

In the growroom and in the system, absolute cleanliness must be ensured and dead root remains should always be removed from the pot immediately in order to prevent fungi or other pathogens from settling in. For this reason, the hydrocorrels should be soaked in a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution for disinfection after each pass and then rinsed well with clear water. This way they can be used again and again. Recirculating systems require a certain amount of experience and background knowledge. They are therefore not necessarily suitable for beginners. Because there is no medium to store and buffer the nutrient solution, errors show up very immediately and have a negative effect on the development of the plant. Accordingly, a failure of the pump would have fatal consequences because the plants would then die very quickly.

Advantages of Hydrocorrels

HydrocorrelsOne advantage of hydrocorrels is that you no longer have to haul heavy bags of soil and see to it that you somehow get rid of all the "old soil". Hydrocorrels are therefore also very suitable for city flats. Expanded clay can be cleaned and disinfected and is therefore appreciated by many growers. This is typically done by washing in white wine vinegar solutions, chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2); then rinse completely.

What are the initial costs for a hydroponic system with expanded clay?

Depending on which hydroponic system you choose, you have to calculate from 400€ for the initial equipment. There are almost no upper limits. With a certain amount of manual skill, you can also make many adjustments yourself.

-> continue to: Part 3 of our hydroponics series: Hydroponics on rock wool & coir

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