LiGrA Growstone — Proven Biofilter Media for Aquariums and Aquaponics

Introduction

Maintaining clean water is vital in aquariums and aquaponics systems. Effective filter media must trap waste, support beneficial bacteria, and remain stable over years of use. Conventional choices like ceramic rings, plastic foams, and volcanic rock work — but each has limits in cost, lifespan, or sustainability.

Growstone Inc. (USA) proved a breakthrough in the 2010s by manufacturing growstones from 100% recycled glass, processed into lightweight porous media. They were marketed for hydroponics, gardening, and aquariums until 2019. This real-world example validates the performance of recycled foamed aggregates in aquatic systems.

LiGrA Growstone builds on this precedent with improved local sourcing, lower cost, and sintering technology that encapsulates heavy metals from ash — adding safety and circular economy benefits.

The Challenge with Conventional Filter Media

• Ceramic rings: Imported, expensive, and energy-intensive to produce.

• Plastic foams: Degrade, creating microplastics and needing frequent replacement.

• Volcanic rock: Effective but mined and shipped long distances.

• Activated carbon: Works well short-term but requires frequent replacement.

The Real-World Precedent: Growstone Inc. (USA)

• Manufactured porous foamed aggregates entirely from recycled glass bottles.

• Used in hydroponics, aquariums, and horticulture for biofiltration and water quality management.

• Proven performance: High porosity for bacterial colonization, inert chemistry, and durable structure.

• Eco-impact: Diverted millions of bottles from landfill before company closure in 2019 (business reasons, not technical failure).

This demonstrated that recycled glass aggregates can outperform conventional filter media in aquatics and farming.

LiGrA as the Next-Generation Solution

LiGrA Growstone takes the Growstone concept further:

• Local production: Lower transport footprint than U.S.-imported or mined media.

• Sintering: Locks in toxic metals from ash, preventing leaching.

• Durability: Designed for longer life in aquaponic water cycles.

• Circular economy: Adds industrial ash valorization on top of recycled glass.

Hypothetical Farm Case: Scaling Growstone to Southeast Asia

Scenario: A commercial aquaponics farm in Johor, Malaysia replaces ceramic rings with LiGrA Growstone media.

Requirements: 5,000 kg of filter media.

1) Cost

• Ceramic rings: $5/kg × 5,000 = $25,000

• LiGrA Growstone: $3.50/kg × 5,000 = $17,500

• Upfront saving = $7,500

2) Long-Term Durability

• Ceramic rings: 3-year lifespan → replaced 3× over 10 years = $75,000.

• LiGrA Growstone: 5-year lifespan → replaced 2× over 10 years = $35,000.

• Lifecycle saving = $40,000

3) Yield & Water Quality

• Higher porosity → 5% better fish survival.

• Farm yield: 50 tons tilapia/year.

• 5% increase = 2.5 tons more/year = ~$6,250 additional revenue annually.

4) Environmental Benefits

• 5,000 kg of LiGrA Growstone diverts ~4 tons of waste from landfill.

• Encapsulation ensures no heavy-metal leaching — crucial for aquaponics food safety.

Before vs After 

👉 “Growstone proved the concept in the U.S. — LiGrA Growstone takes it further. It’s cheaper, lasts longer, boosts yields, and makes aquaponics safer and greener.”

Conclusion

Growstone Inc. already demonstrated that recycled glass aggregates can succeed in aquariums and hydroponics. LiGrA Growstone expands on that foundation: it is locally sourced, safer through heavy-metal encapsulation, and more cost-effective. With proven performance and clear economic benefits, LiGrA Growstone represents the next-generation filter media for Southeast Asia’s growing aquaculture and urban farming industries.