Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Anyone interested in going in on a bulk-buy of expanded clay?

i'm currently getting quotes on quantities 10-50 45kg bags (one pallet) - size per bag may vary...

i regularly travel central coast to sydney, delivery/exchange by arrangement.

if anyone has an existing supplier that does bulk at reasonable prices, would be happy to consider them.

Did you consider using scoria ? (volcanic rock) Its lighter and a better media in general than gravel, but cheaper than clay.

I did look at it, does it have the same handling issues in that it needs to be cleaned well before use like gravel? this is my main concern, i'm putting down (at least) 10 1/2 IBCs as grow beds and i think i already have my work cut out for me. the weight doesn't bother me so much, more the prep. to get it to a stage that you can use it. i must admit i have no experience with it... even the gravel i used for my water filter (i use bore water, so need to filter it before putting it in my tank) took quite some effort and water before it ran clear. light weight/sterility of the clay is attractive.

in saying that, not surprisingly i'm not getting much luck from the shops with expanded clay, they seem to want a premium to take a delivery of a pallet and then pass it on. i'm not looking to put them out of business... i'm just not prepared to pay what they're asking for something nicely packaged into platic bags when really i want a trailer load.

I used 20mm scoria, laid out a groundsheet across the front lawn and had three tons dropped on it. Just sprayed water on it for a bit then tipped it into the growbeds, then flooded the growbed once and drained it. The water ran fairly red for a few days but then began to clear up. When the biofilm grows the particles stick to it and the water runs crystal clear. I think the advantages of scoria far outweigh any supposed disadvantages. Anyway looking forward to seeing your system come together. 10 1/2 ibc growbeds,

You'll never beat good quality clay balls but have a look at 14mm - 20mm blue stone, it's cheap in the quantity you need, it's only drawback is the weight.

I've never cleaned any media in my system. It takes a few days, but the water clears out, and I've used granite, blue metal, scoria.

I looked into the price of clay balls in the last bed I made, it was 10x the price. Not worth it to me.

It comes bagged from the manufacturer, so you can't just buy a trailer load, and in a way what your asking is for a business to not do their normal business. You can't walk into Harvey Normans and expect them to order you in a couple of extra TV's with their next order and not put on normal markups.. They are in business and need to make money to cover overheads.

Keep trying different places, if you find an importer or big seller they will usually give a reasonable discount on a pallet load, perhaps check gumtree, may shops advertise specials there..

Thanks all for the responses. Going to try to get scoria today, failing that - blue metal

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But it still does not stop a special order of a pallet of bags at a better price....

And I will soon be looking for some just like you
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