cleaning medium

how do i clean the clay balls from a previous grow????:rastasmoke:

My system is automated so I run the clean cycle.
If yours is old fashion per dos, Set your timmer for one on cycle , every 1/2 hour.
Flush for 8 -2 cycle and check you ppm and ph , restart the system with clean water 6-8 cycles
check you ppm and ph
dump you system out and refill , using 1/2 cup of bleach for each 25 gallons.
run that system for 6-8 cycles
Now drain flush for 4 cycles, drain and do it over again
On you last cycle , I usualy tast the water so it not strong bleach.
If you system is realy screw up you can get a nursery cleaning solution. about 20 buks for a quart. Bleach works great for most condition.
Automation is the only way to go. a 10 buck computer does the work , never takes a break and never gets stoned on the job.
printer relay card 74 and relayrunner software.

so dont steam them????

you want to delute the solids that remain of ther the grow and bloom cycles.
A good ppm meter will tell you what is going on.
I can no even want tothink of steaming them, 100 gallons of hydro corn.
I have used plain 3/8 pea gravel for years , the only reason I stopped using it was hydrocon is easer to clean.
NOTE you want to remove as much roots and stray plant mater before doing the cleaning porcess.
I have used hydrocorn/expanded clay and pea gravel over 10 years each and had no problems, so far.
A clean system is a happy system, happy stystem is a happy crop.
C croppers do it because it works , and are not in love with the plant.

step 1: remove all visible large particles such as roots and dried dead leaves from DRY hydroton.

step 2: Place all hydroton in large container preferably with holes at the bottom or the sides (such as a bucket or net pots)

step 3: Use garden hose to rinse out most of the other particles (rinse thoroughly)

step 4: Use near boiling water or the hottest water you can get and pour over the rocks. The water obviously should be free of particles itself.

as a side note, you can omit step 4 and rinse with only cold water and rubbing alcohol at step 3. This will kill any organisms. Be sure to rinse thoroughly of course and let rocks dry before using.

easy buy sum more

Pick up a sweater washing bag from wall-mart for a dollar maybe two dollars. This is a cloth net bag with a zipper on top. Clean out what you can by hand and then put the rest of your grow rocks in the bag.

Place the bag in the dishwasher and drop a little florakleen or one of the other flushing products in the bottom of the dish washer. Turn it on and run it on pots & pan setting. This will not only clean your grow rocks but it will also sterilize them at well.

No point in buying more when you can clean & sterilize them that easy.

why would i buy more when i can simply clean them? thanks im doin the dishwasher thing

fair enough , out here it s cheap as chips , many thanx