I'd prefer you to lower the height of the flooding
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| expanded clay - a floating problem http://byap.backyardmagazines.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=5638 |
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| Author: | mu5hu [ Jun 14th, '09, 10:13 ] |
| Post subject: | expanded clay - a floating problem |
Hey, Just wondering does expanded clay pebbles float? and if so for how long do they float for? I have a problem with mine, where they are floating and so it would be unstable to plant anything. I've searched around the forum looking for info about the floating and haven't found that much info. People have stated it does float but not for how long and how to help it to sink Any help would be AWESOME coz yeah thats my only hold up atm. Im using a flood and drain system in half barrel grow beds. Cheers!!! |
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| Author: | Dufflight [ Jun 14th, '09, 10:39 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
They don't float for long. You may want to check how high your water is getting in the gb. |
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| Author: | newfarmer [ Jun 14th, '09, 21:01 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
I have found that I only had this issue when I had the overflow on the standpipe too high. The water only needs to get approx 1 inch from the surface of the media, and then capilliary action will draw moisture up the last bit. Even after having beds running for over 12mths, if I flood the bed (for pest management) some of the hydroton still floats, so to me it will likely be the bed drain overflow height, and reducing this should help. |
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| Author: | Burnsy [ Jun 14th, '09, 21:30 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
Keep your GB's flooded for 24 hours and you will find it becomes saturated and stops floating. I did not need to cycle the school system when the hydroton beds were plumbed in so I stuck a plug in the drain, filled the bed and left it a few days and they settled right down. |
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| Author: | creative1 [ Jun 14th, '09, 22:04 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
I'd prefer you to lower the height of the flooding
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| Author: | RupertofOZ [ Jun 14th, '09, 23:41 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
+1.. drop your level |
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| Author: | mu5hu [ Jun 15th, '09, 19:23 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
Cheers for the info everyone! Yeah it seems i've prob got my flood level too high but it seems i'm just constantly dropping the flood level haha but whateva works. I'll tell you how it goes! Cheers |
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| Author: | Dufflight [ Jun 15th, '09, 19:28 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
And pictures can help too. 
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| Author: | creative1 [ Jun 15th, '09, 19:35 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
As you make a change to the stand pipe or the volume of feed water, it will take a good 10 minutes for the GB's to settle... Task is : If needed make slight adjustment to the gate value then go and make a coffee or start to brew a tea  then go check the level again  ...and as Rupe says 
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| Author: | mu5hu [ Jun 15th, '09, 20:23 ] | ||||
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem | ||||
Here are those pics if they help
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| Author: | RupertofOZ [ Jun 15th, '09, 21:47 ] |
| Post subject: | Re: expanded clay - a floating problem |
No real need for the cut-outs... and I think they're restricting your flow... The level of the cut-out looks to be about the max flood level... I'd just square the standpipe off at that level and see how it goes... If need be then you can fine tune with a ball valve...
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