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Helllooooooo Poly!

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Polystyrene (PS), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), PolyPropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Mylar, Nylon (PA), etc., etc.. These are a few of the labels you will find around the house on polymer food containers. When it comes to building a hydroponics system using polymer containers, you should use some of these same products. Rubbermaid™ for example have assured us that their products are safe to use for hydroponics systems. If you are building a large tray system to be lined with poly. sheeting, you should not use something like mildew resistant construction vapour-barrier as it may be phytotoxic (harmful to plants) due to being impregnated with pesticides. Instead, you should contact local plastic wholesalers or farm supply companies and tell them what you want. You can also check out AT Plastics (who manufacture agricultural food and hydroponics-safe polymers) at http://www.atplastics.com or other plastics manufacturers and find a local distributor in your area.

There have been a few studies done lately which warn of plasticizers which can be released from certain poly. products into foods, such as DEHA in plastic wraps. One link for information concerning this is http://www.plasticsinfo.org/food/index.h... and certain scientists have stated that soft plastics, like the Poly-Vinyl Chloride (PVC) should be avoided as they may release additives into the surroundings.

There have been roumours that recycled plastics may contain high levels of Lead &/or other toxins.

It has also been stated that "...components that come in contact with the nutrient solution, as many as possible should be made of plastic because metal can release potentially toxic levels of certain micronutrients such as zinc and copper in the solution. Because of the widespread use of plastics, take care to select materials that are not phytotoxicity. As a general recommendation, PVC and low- and high-density polyethylene or polypropylene are acceptable, but plasticized PVC used in the manufacture of flexible hose, or butyl rubber sheet lining, used for waterproofing reservoirs, should not be used in NFT as they may be phytotoxic. Plastics are more likely to cause phytotoxicity when they are new. Plastic surfaces quickly lose their potential phytotoxicity when exposed to nutrient solution. Therefore, before planting a crop, flush out the new hydroponic installation entirely for 1 day with a dilute nutrient solution that is discarded." by Dr. A. P. Papadopoulos "Growing greenhouse tomatoes in soil and in soilless media" http://res.agr.ca/harrow/bk2/cuke-toc.htm

I have contacted industry experts and we have come to the conclusion that rigid poly. wading pools which can be purchased very cheaply make ideal hydroponics flow trays.

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