The Pool Noodle-They Don’t Suck
What can you do with Pool Noodles in a hydroponic system? What store bought items can you replace for pennies, and what are the environmental impacts?
Expanded Clay Balls, are very common and are the go to media for almost all hydroponic grow systems.
If you’ve used them for any amount of time, then you know one thing about them and that is that they SUCK on every level.
First of all they’re dirty and constantly give off particles every time they move against each other. This is an abrasive dust that can and does ruin pumps and is not so great for your roots. Tiny slices in your roots can lead to root rot. It is common for expanded clay stone users to experience continual problems with root rot.
Clay balls are also entirely porous so any bad elements can go right in and take hold. This will have nothing but a negative impact on your plants.
If you care at all about the environment then you may be concerned to know that they do not bio-degrade at all. They essentially have the half life of nuclear waste.
They are also much heavier than noodles so the amount of diesel fuel, chugging along, to ship them to who ever you buy them from, and then the diesel chug ship them to you, is many times more. A ridiculous amount of extra pollution when you think about it.
They also require the use of net pots which take up valuable space inside your bucket. Net pots are another thing to have to purchase and clean after each use.
Clay balls and net pots can both be eliminated by using simple and super cheap swimming pool noodles which are available at your local grocery store. Or you can buy them here and get free seeds with them, something your local store won’t do.
Here are some photos of how to use them. From seed germination all the way to harvest, the noodle foam does it all and does it well. You’ll be kicking yourself once you try it.
It was a happy day when I threw away all my net pots and clay stones. Like a weight off my shoulders. Yuk to those mothers. I used them for 15 yrs before trying this. Can we say Duh one more time?
Cost comparison
Clay Stones 6-$7/net pot per plant (plus 8-12 for the net pot) Total $15-20 per plant.
Noodle Foam $00.30 each plant, plain bucket lids can be as cheap as a buck or two. $2-3 per plant.
So much cleaner and easier. Plus, you can use a flat lid and forget the net-pot so you get more usable room inside the bucket, about 6”.
When I first saw the foam being used in a grow I snuffed at it but once I tried it, it really is the ultimate way to go. You could not pay me to go back to the stones, I would quit growing first, that’s how much they suck compared to noodles.