GluteusMaximus
03-03-2006, 03:58 PM
No reason to be ashamed of your dirty balls anymore!
I received my hydroton and, after looking at the package, wondered "do I really need to clean my balls?". I didn't see any dust in the bag with the hydroton so I wasn't sure if they really needed prewashed. New to hydro I wasn't taking any chances so I connected an old washing machine and began to wash my balls.
The rinse water looked like mud!!
Washed them again, still nothing but mud pouring out the drain hose. I realized when I filled the washer drum with water, the hydroton floated and so did the dust and mud so it never really seperated from the hydroton. The hydroton just kept floating in the dust/muddy water. I finally came up with what I feel is the best method for cleaning hydroton.
If you have an old washing machine (or don't care about your new one) you can pour your hydroton in and set it on the spin cycle. Have the drain hose remain below the drum level of the washer so that the water drains right out even if the pump isn't working. With the hydroton spinning in the drum and the lid open, wash them with a garden hose spraying the hydroton as it spins around. The dust/mud washes right off and spins to the outer portion of the drum and down the drain. I was able to wash 400 Litres of hydroton in about a hour.
After washing, I put the hydroton into the grow buckets and cycled the flood and drain system several times to ensure all water was clean and my TDS was not increasing. I now have the cleanest balls in town. I can't wait to show them off.
So if you're new to dating or hydroponics, you know the importance of having clean balls. Don't forget to wear clean underwear.
Oh also, beware of "clay puffs", they're not the same as hydroton. They float too much and they're fragile and crush easily.
GM
I received my hydroton and, after looking at the package, wondered "do I really need to clean my balls?". I didn't see any dust in the bag with the hydroton so I wasn't sure if they really needed prewashed. New to hydro I wasn't taking any chances so I connected an old washing machine and began to wash my balls.
The rinse water looked like mud!!
Washed them again, still nothing but mud pouring out the drain hose. I realized when I filled the washer drum with water, the hydroton floated and so did the dust and mud so it never really seperated from the hydroton. The hydroton just kept floating in the dust/muddy water. I finally came up with what I feel is the best method for cleaning hydroton.
If you have an old washing machine (or don't care about your new one) you can pour your hydroton in and set it on the spin cycle. Have the drain hose remain below the drum level of the washer so that the water drains right out even if the pump isn't working. With the hydroton spinning in the drum and the lid open, wash them with a garden hose spraying the hydroton as it spins around. The dust/mud washes right off and spins to the outer portion of the drum and down the drain. I was able to wash 400 Litres of hydroton in about a hour.
After washing, I put the hydroton into the grow buckets and cycled the flood and drain system several times to ensure all water was clean and my TDS was not increasing. I now have the cleanest balls in town. I can't wait to show them off.
So if you're new to dating or hydroponics, you know the importance of having clean balls. Don't forget to wear clean underwear.
Oh also, beware of "clay puffs", they're not the same as hydroton. They float too much and they're fragile and crush easily.
GM