Perlite ≈ Vermiculite???

Ah yes, 'alifax.

In which case, the Hope Valley isn't so very far away. Derwent Koi and Tropicals is on the old A625 (Sheffield to Castleton). From Sheffield go through Hathersage and just after the traffic lights at Bamford you go over a bridge, and immediately on your right is a garden centre. It's in there.

Might want to give her a ring first to ensure she's got some though. Makes a nice day out if you don't know the area - Calderdale without the chimneys.

Edit to add details from yell.co.uk:

Derwent Koi & Tropicals
High Peak Garden Centre Stickleholme Bamford
Hope Valley Derbyshire
S33 0AH

Tel: 01433 650029
 
Incidently I was in there yesterday and they had loads of laterite.
 
Hi folks , just a question for the brits, is it possible to get laterite loose?? ( by the pound/kilo) I only ever see it sold in boxes marketed by API and it is very expensive. I'm also wondering about the clay balls used for hydroponics as local ferts, any thoughts????

Regards
Paule
 
do you mean hydroclite???

its the expanded clay crocking.......

its too lightweigfht, and i havent seen any comparisons done re its suitability v fluorite\laterite... i used it in my sand\verm lower layer of substrate(i was curious too...) mainly to stop the mix compacting too much.......

hth
 
Yup, I think its the same stuff, but the bags I've seen are labelled "Hydroleca". I'm going to soak it for a week to see if it alters the pH or anything else and then try it in a nano planted tank (ambitious or what?:D :D )

How come everythings bagged up these days? years ago I used to buy this stuff by the pound from the local pet/gardening shop.
 
i dont think itll alter the ph, mines been in a good 3\4 weeks, and gh\kh\ph are a ll round the same levels before i used it.

i have a feeling it may be too lite to use, unless its under gravel\sand etc...

its in bags cause 1)its easier to mass produce(retailers prefer it...)
2) so people like u and i cant buy a handful at a time!!!

btw its the same stuff renamed./...
 
FWIW perlite and vermiculite are not the same thing. They are used for more or less the same purpose for potted plants (terrestrial) - lighten the soil matrix and retain some moisture. How they differ when used in a tank is something I never want to experience.

Vermiculite is a mineral (similar to mica) expanded using high heat.

Perlite is something else.

My $0.02

Gumby
 
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