Rockwool cube substitute on a budget

Grow Cycle Preparations
1

Greeting, Ive been reading the forums for a while and some topics really seem interesting and really helped me alot in planing my first grow and really love the community here.
Since my budget is extremely tight, and I plan on growing 10 plants hydroponically ive been searching for a substitute for every single aspect of the grow, made DIY RDWC system got dry hydroponic nutes and used old water pumps i had in the farm, used paint buckets, and finally comes my question.

Can I use standard construction rockwool insulation instead of rockwool cubes? since its the same material and probably cost about 70% less.

1 Like
2

I honestly cant say I have ever considered this and wouldnt be able to give a definitive answer. Perhaps I’ll go out and buy some to try cloning in

3

Oasis cubes could work but i would ask i use them for clones and seeds and they sell big one’s to. I wash or dip mine in 3%hydrogen peroxide and water before I use them.

2 Likes
4

Looks like the same stuff;

1 Like
5

technically, yes, it has the same water holding qualities, but it also has fire-retardant chemicals applied to it.

i would strongly suggest trying another grow method that is more affordable,
hydro is going to be expensive, sure u can use paint buckets instead of hydro buckets, but there is no substitute for good/dependable equipment, u end up spending more money in the long run on cheap shit and work twice as hard to make the cheap chit do okay.!

3 Likes
6

I don’t necessarily buy that. I like ppl that reduce, reuse and recycle. Rockwool is rockwool. Yes you can rinse it first, but rockwool is fire retardant in and of itself and I doubt it is more impregnated.

Each of my DWC’s are Walmart source for ~$8/ site or plant. And I use just the basic GH flora for nutes. You dont need to spend a lot of money for hydro. After initial investment I can grow 5 plants for $15

2 Likes
7

Plus electric.

1 Like
8

I’d skip rockwool and just grow them in soil until ready for transplant. Skip the whole rockwool investment part of it. 10 plants is a lot to grow on a budget in hydro. If everything isn’t perfect you may be doing yourself a disservice. Just my opinion as a RDWC and DWC hydro grower. What are you using to oxygenate the roots of 10 plants? That is an expensive part of hydro.

3 Likes
9

Ive done that too. Works just fine. The dirt that comes off when in the net pot makes a mess in the bath tub I use to change out but it’s not a major issue.

I agree with @Vexer. Grow 2 plants to begin with and get the feel for it and expand from there.

1 Like