LECA Comparison Study

[Ray]

Over on Facebook, someone suggested that there needs to be an updated comparison of available brands of LECA, similar to the one I did about 20 years ago.

I volunteered to do that if folks will send me samples to test. Here's how this is going to work: I already have Hydroton, so if you have another brand of LECA and are willing:

1) Send me a PM with the brand. If I do not have that one in my array of materials, I will share my shipping address.

2) Get a small, flat rate box from the USPS ($7.90 postage), fill it with NEW, UNWASHED material, and send it to me. (To compensate you for that expense, I'll send you a coupon code that will give you $7.90 off the price of a bottle of KelpMax.)

3) Once I have received the samples, I'll run a variety of tests and will publish my results.

Right off the top, I thought I'd do the following:

> TDS of soak water - will tell us how important precleaning is.
> Bulk Density - relates to stability,
> Wicking ability
> Free air space
> Absorption

Any other ideas?