polystyrene beads
 

Hello Ron. I live in the tropics and plan to use the 2-litre bottle system for tomatoes using ebb'n'flow.
We get about 12hrs sunlight throughout the year. I've read somewhere that a possible medium to use
is 1/4" polystyrene beads (those found in 'bean bags'). Since they float, I've got to weigh them down
somehow. I can find rockwool here, but they are for heat insulation. My question is: are any of them
suitable? The other thing which is holding me back is nutrient. As tomato hydroponics is not yet
popular here, I cant seem to find suitable nutrient. Nutrients for green and leafy vegs can be easily
found.(168-40-200, I think) Other than that, I'm all go. The 4 x 3 rig and pump are all set! Best
Regards, Azhar Ahmad

Be careful using polystyrene beads and insulation because they sometimes contain fire retarding that
will kill plants.
The hydro nutrient is everyone's problem too. It's hard to find.
Some members are successfully using soil fertilizer so you might try that.
I hope to be set up to sell small amounts of inexpensive hydro solution this summer.
Ron