There really is not a substitute for either perlite, pumice, or rice hulls. If you cant find locally one of them then they can be mail ordered.
Gnomes steal my bud
Here is one I currently have going. Its a 2 gallon inside a 5 gallon next to a couple others in 3 gallons. I like the 3 gallons as a stand alone but you can't go too crazy with the veg length or you will have sad plants the last few weeks of flower. If you have great lights with deep penetration...
I've used them for years they grow great plants. Only negatives are having to frequently buy more and sometimes they can be unstable if you dont fill them right. I love that I can be lazy and just cut the bottom off when I need to replant and just place on top of another planter instead.
I wouldn't use rice hulls for notill since they will decompose but otherwise it is the best bet but pumice works fine also just heavier.
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