Luffa as rock wool substitute in aquaponics

Has anyone used luffa as a rock wool substitute in aquaponics? I am very interested in low in-put urban gardening/home gardening and thought this could be a good way to reduce waste as well.

The only reference I could find to this was at https://www.luffa.info/#:~:text= Just one paragraph. I’m wondering how long it lasts? If it changes the water ph at all? Any other advice is welcome. I’m new to aquaponics and want to keep it simple so that it will be easy to share with others. Thanks!

https://www.aijcrnet.com/journals/Vol_3_No_3_March_2013/11.pdf This is useful information in helping to answer my question, but it’s not exactly what I’m looking for. And honestly I don’t understand enough of it to interpret it for my use.