Perlite alternative/s

[Rwise]

The clay, the only concern I have is that it may take on elements out of the soil such as sulfur. And sulfur mixed with water produces sulfuric acid, and lowers the PH. I have seen this with perlite when I used water soluble powdered sulfur (now using pelleted), shot my PH below 3 with no hope of recovery (I put the plants in new soil).

 

[dphipps1020]

What about aquarium rocks? Like for a fish tank, the small colorful stuff. Obviously you probably wouldn't want colored, but it's another idea

 

[Rwise]

All kinds of stuff used there, from river rock to glass, the river rock I can get for elbow grease. I can even get it from the creek here. It is nicely rounded,

 

[Cali]

Hmm the worms in my soil seem to be fine? I use lava rock and rice hulls for aeration and I also added pumice. I learned that perlite turns into cement after a while so no good in a “living soil” maybe in a soil that you will throw away after each grow would be fine.i often find worms on lava rock with no issues and they are big that’s why I decided to add small pumice for better aeration I think those three options would be fine. Then again I wouldn’t know if the worms are getting cut up inside the soil I only see the ones moving around.

 

[Rwise]

I have not heard nor seen the perlite form into concrete, I have found I can float it out of the soil which is my plan for fall, get that shit out of there!