Will gravel work for Hydroponics as medium?

[Michael G]

I cant get a hold of any rock wool or anything else for my hydroponic system so will i be able to use gravel in it? If gravel will work, how big and what type?

[groundskeeper]

What kind of system are you setting up? Unlike rockwool, most gravel will drain water very fast and not retain much around the root system. You could use volcanic rock which is very porous and light, but I have read where it is very sharp and care must be taken not to move plant too much. If rockwool is not available locally, you could get some perlite and use that as a medium.

Or you could use a gravel bed system with a drip or flood system.
Gravel Bed Gardening
In the gravel bed type of hydroponic gardening there is a boxed structure or raised bed filled with stone or coarse sand. Nutrient solutions can be applied in a number of ways, including drip irrigation and flooding the gravel bed with water and reusing the excess.

Personally I have never used gravel. closest would probably be hydroton or expanded clay pellets. But they are nowhere close to gravel.

Talk to your local garden supply and see if they cant order in some rockwool or other medium for you. Order on-line. Or just go for it with the gravel and let us know how it works!