The problems i had with the Hydroton occurred on my 4x4 ebb and flow/flood and drain table....and yes through out the grow the Hydroton will come in contact with the nutes...3-4 times a day...lol.. capeesh ...
The exact same table and system i used to grow the plant in my avatar...in the same white pots...lol...only difference is i was using the cheep lava type grow rocks...which did not required Ph-ing....

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"The avatar is from my very first grow ...many moons ago....i dont have a green thumb , but its only gotten better from there..!!"