These are high-quality pebbles from Germany. They’re not your typical Chinese knock off‘s.
High Pore Space
Larger aggregates like hydroton have much larger space between each pebble than perlite, sand, and other small particles. However, the biological surface area isn’t usually as high but the pore space is much higher.
This means that larger pore spaces have a better flow of solution through the media even when biofilms from algae and microbes cover the surface of the media. The water drains very effectively as the hydroton rarely becomes clogged or blocked. This makes it a great choice for ebb-and-flow systems and aquaponic media bed systems.
Air-Holding Capacity
In the air holding capacity, hydroton cannot compete with perlite. But hydroton has some air holding capacity and when it is combined with great percolation then it is difficult for problematic anaerobic zones to occur.
Renewable and Environmental Friendly
Hydroton is not made from much clay and the clay used is abundant, so most people consider it an environmentally friendly medium to use. Hydroton uses less amount of materials compared to other media which uses a greater amount of earth’s supply.
Moreover, you can also use these hydroton balls to make lightweight concrete blocks which can be later used in construction.
Reusable
Another great benefit of hydroton is that it can be used again and again. All you need to do is rinse any built up silt or organic matter from it before reusing it.
Easy to Plant and Harvest
Hydroton is a loose media which makes it easy to transplant and pull plants out of after harvesting.
Good for Microbes
Grow stones are great for growing plants but are not great for colonizing microbes. As you may already know that BSA provides habitat for the microbes which make nutrients from organic sources like fish feed available to plants. Less BSA means fewer microbes, this also means a less responsive and less stable system