Expanded clay pellets... am I getting ripped off?

[APDude]

So, I've been running my 50 Gallon AP system for a month now, and the ph went right up, stayed up, and wouldn't come down. Yesterday, I discovered that the gravel in my growbeds was limestone... so I called this Hydroponics supply store and they said they would sell me 50 Gallons of pellets (in 10 liter bags) for $164 USD plus tax.
Now, is it just me or is that insanely expensive?

[Wendy in BC]

Here that would cost me $120-$148 Canadian for 50 gallons (about 200 litres) of hydroton. Its really expensive. I like the idea of using 3/4 inch gravel on the bottom of the bed and using the clay on the top. I do like the clay as it makes it very easy to move the plants around.

[Murray]

Sorry to make light of it, but maybe the guy at the hydro store had just been out the back "flying his kite"....

He must have made a mistake....surely

Clay pebbles are nice to work with, but far too expensive ...I believe.
I would be scouting around the gravel supply places looking for a better gravel.

[Jens UK]

£10 per 1000kg of clean 20mm gravel delivered to my polytunnel......

[bigdaddy]

Hi APD,$164.00 plus 8%?

A bit more exy than what the hydroponics guy around the corner sells expanded clay at.

He charges $30.00 for 40 litres GST inclusive,so it would cost me about $A150.00 in total for 200 litres of it.

Expanded clay is very nice but very expensive I get 3/4" (rounded river,cottage blend stones)for $A120.00 plus $A23.00 delivery per tonne.

Cheers.

[fishfood]

If you work at the garden supply scoria is real cheap

[dufflight]

Bulk of the GB filled with gravel and the top 100mm in glay. Best of both worlds.

[RupertofOZ]

$30-$40 for 50L of hydroton is a pretty common retail price... anything better is a bargain...

There's 40 bags per pallet.... so if you need that many, or more... ask for a pallet rate.... :wink:

[APDude]

If you work at the garden supply scoria is real cheap

pardon me but, what exactly is scoria?

[RupertofOZ]

Scoria is a volcanic rock... a lava rock... often used as a decorative rock...