i recommend that you save some money a get some pea gravel. its 3 bucks for a 50lb bag at home depot and it is heavier and it gives you plants roots a little more stability as it grows. and when it comes to cleaning it very easy with a teaspoon of bleach to 5 gallons of water and wash and dry and good to go....i find alot of draw backs to hydroton as some floats some stink. it is light weight and just seems to get all over if a plant begins to lean. try a conparison using the gravel in one pot next to your hydroton and soon you will be a gravel fan....it last forever and i just love love it