Lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) or expanded clay (exclay) is a light weight aggregate made by heating clay to around 1,200 °C (2,190 °F) in a rotary kiln. The yielding gases expand the clay by thousands of small bubbles forming during heating producing a honeycomb structure. LECA has an approximately round or potato shape due to circular movement in the kiln.
Granule Size ±8-20mm
Leca® is the world leader in horticultural, agricultural & hydroponic substrates. The benefits of Leca are :
Intact Granules
- Higher insulation (more closed pores)
- Better drainage (bigger gaps between granules)
Fragmented Granules
- Better moisture retention (more open pores)
- Better soil aeration (promotes healthy bacterias)
- Increases root biomass (sharp edges split and induce exponential root development)
Manufactured to relevant ISO standards, Leca® is consistent in nature:
- pH neutral
- stable & durable
- anti-fungal
- resistant to insects
We are now stocking the Vitalink brand of Leca® as the quality is exceptional and exceeds other locally available brands.
- Totally inert = stable EC and pH
- Unique irregular shape and porosity which increases their surface area
- Reduced dust compared to regular pebbles
VitaLink Clay Pebbles offer strong structural integrity and enable good root aeration and development. They have a lower bulk density than clay pebbles of other brands, which means they are more porous and have a better ability to retain water. Our pebbles are also irregularly shaped, increasing their surface area compared to rounded pebbles thus allowing the plants more contact with nutrient solution.
These premium clay pebbles have a very stable EC and pH, meaning they will not significantly change the pH of your nutrient solution, or leak undesired minerals into it.
VitaLink Clay Pebbles are ideal for hydroponic systems, including flood and drain, multipot and drip-ring systems, as well as support media for deep water culture. Use VitaLink Hydro MAX nutrients in conjunction to give great results. VitaLink
Clay Pebbles can also be used to mix with other substrates to improve their structure, or to add a drainage layer in the bottom of pots.
Our pebbles have been triple filtered to avoid smaller pebbles and dust, but we advise to wash them prior to use as there may be some dust created whilst they are in transit.
Water retention capacity 10%
EC 0.5 mS/cm²
pH 5.5-7.5
