Expanded Clay

Expanded clay is formed by heating clay pellets in kilns at 1200 degrees Celsius until it expands and becomes porous, much in the same way as perlite. Pests that live on organic matter or algae,etc that sometimes grow over the top of some media types (such as cocopeat or perlite) are not attracted to clay. Clay is also infinitely reusable (provided it is adequately washed), as opposed to cocopeat, which is only reusable once (max), or perlite which develops a green covering after use and is best thrown away.

As clay is shaped into round balls, it has a lot of space in between each particle and so can provide a good oxygen supply to the roots. As it holds very little to no water at all, it is really only suited to systems that have a constant supply of water, or frequent waterings. Dripper systems for example are best left to substates like cococpeat or perlite which can hold and distribute the moisture better, or at least to a mix of those medias and clay.

Suitability of use

N.F.T.

Flood and Drain

Dripper systems

The Hydroponic Warehouse
Shop 3, 73 Pickering Street, Enoggera
Brisbane QLD Australia
(Opposite Enoggera Bowls Club.)
Phone: +61 (07) 3354 1588 Fax: +61 (07) 3354 3622