You can use most any growing mediums you want. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. Some hold moisture better, some hold more oxygen, some provide better drainage etc.. For my drip systems, I cover the bottom drain hole with a screening filter (that I cut out of a cheep replacement furnace filter). Then I add a layer of rock I get from my back yard (though any river rock or fish tank rock will do). That I wash to get all the dirt off, and sanitize by soaking it in bleach water for an hour or so. I use the rock to add weight so the plants don't become top heavy and blow over in the wind (I grow outside). However the layer of rock also provides excellent drainage properties, holds the furnace filter screen in place, and takes up space so less growing medium is needed. Then on top of the rock in the bottom of the bucket, add the growing medium. I like using coco "chips" myself, because it's fairly inexpensive, holds moisture very well, and while still being able to allow the roots to be well aerated. 2 cubic feet of coco chips is about 15 gallons when expanded. With the layer of rock at the bottom (about 1/3) of the bucket, that's enough to fill 4, 5 gallon buckets. Coco fiber is the same material as coco chips (made from coconut husks), just smaller particles, so it dosen't aerate as well as the "chips," but still does a good job (chips just do better). The chips are about the size of small wood chips for your smoker, and the coir (fiber) texture is about like peat moss. Here is a link that shows some different typical growing mediums Growing Medium, I haven't used lava rock, though I understand it works well also. What ever growing medium you use, you'll want to rinse it off well first. The coco chips (or coir) will color the water at first, but wont hurt the plants at all, and eventually rinses out. Treating water (like water filtration systems), or nutrients to use? Sounds like you meant what type of nutrients to use. Miracle grow dosen't make a line of hydroponic nutrients that I know of, and I'm not familiar with "pro teck," "Lanka," or "super thrive." But you want to use nutrients designed for hydroponic plants. Fertilizers that are for use in soil don't contain the micro elements (elements used by the plant in small quantities) needed for healthy plant growth (because soil contains enough of them). Soil fertilizers generally only contain the macro (elements used by the plant in large quantities). Hydroponic nutrients are designed to be complete, and provide all the mineral elements (macro, and micro elements). So just make sure their made for hydroponic plants. I have used both the General Hydroponics Flora Series nutrients, and the Verti-Gro nutrients. The GH flora series is a 3 part nutrient (that needs all 3 parts to work correctly), and because it's a 3 part nutrient, it allows more flexibility in mixing them for your specific plant needs. However if you grow enough it will get quite expensive, making about 390 gallons of nutrient solution from the 1 gallon concentrate jugs, and costs about $100 (shipping not included if you need it). The Verti-Gro nutrients are a 2 part nutrient that needs both parts to work (the fertilizer, and calcium nitrate). They come dry and are mixed separately in water jugs to create a liquid nutrient concentrate, that are generally mixed evenly into the nutrient solution. The 4 lb combo special (fertilizer, and calcium nitrate, SKU#: FCombo) that includes shipping and runs under $40, and makes about 500 gallons of nutrient solution. The 25 lb quantities make about 5000 gallons for about $130 (shipping included). Here are a few others that are priced similar to the Verti-Gro nutrients that I haven't tried yet, but plan to test out in the future. QuickGrow nutrients J.R. Peters nutrients (I especially want to try these) P.S. If you want to send me a e-mail at; rocketman1022000@yahoo.com with the title "drip system" I can send you complete directions on how I built one of my drip systems. It's in PDF, is easily printed out, and contains many pictures of the build. Even if you don't build it, it will probably give you some good ideas.

Hello confused, You are correct in thinking russian sage is not a salvia,It is Petrovskia atriplicifolia. It looks like a salvia but is not. There are a few different plants out there like the lepechinia, phlomis which common names are sages but are not. I think you are right and it is to confuse us. Cheers Annette

Am I reading this correctly, you have two showers? One in the tub and one in a stall with a frameless door? Which one is the Costco tower for? We also purchased a shower tower from Costco. Have had it for about a year now and I still like it. It included jets and all the ones they had at that time did also. Does the one you bought not also include jets? Costco also had a hansgrohe single handle sink faucet that we purchased for our guest bathroom for about $50, Don't know if they have them now, but I've seen it there several times. I actually bought it a long time ago when they had a coupon for it in anticipation of this bathroom remodel. It was only installed a few weeks ago, but so far so good.

We use both felt and the dura-hold pads. The all felt pads are my favorite for large, heavy rugs but it seems the carpet dealers no longer carry them. The dura-hold pads works really well on both w/w carpet and hardwood or tile floors. I've only had problems with one that buckled, or stretched, in one area but I solved the problem by cutting a wedge out of the stretched area and taping it back together. I think you'll find your rug will look and feel better in addition to lasting longer. Allison's link shows 3 nice pads.