Zoo Med HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate, 2.5 Pounds

Zoo Med HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate, 2.5 Pounds

(13 customer reviews)

$7.99

Last updated on 07/20/2025 12:57 PM Details
Category:

Description

  • Add water to HydroBalls to increase humidity levels for all tropical reptiles
  • Use HydroBalls and Mesh for landscaping real plants – keeps plants in place
  • Use HydroBalls with a pump to create a waterfall and generate water flow for optimum filtration
  • Hydro balls expanded clay terrarium substrate

Additional information

Department

Unisex-Adult
Country of Origin

USA
Item model number

VC10
Date First Available

January 2, 2005
Item Package Dimensions L x W x H

14.45 x 9.25 x 2.2 inches
Item Dimensions LxWxH

10.3 x 8.4 x 4.1 inches
Item Weight

2.2 Pounds
Brand Name

Zoo Med
Target Audience Keyword

cat, Dog
Directions

See Directions Before Use.
Warranty Description

Warranty
Model Name

VC-10
Color

Yellow
Size

2.5 LBS
Material

Plastic
Age Range Description

All Life Stages
Number of Items

1
Manufacturer

Zoo Med Laboratories
Included Components

ZML BEDNG HYDROBALLS CLAY 2.5#
Specific Uses for Product

Active

13 reviews for Zoo Med HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate, 2.5 Pounds

  1. Aubrey –

    This drainage layer has really made a difference. When I tried to go bioactive without a drainage layer I got bugs and my plants died because of moist build up. When I gave it a drainage layer wow it impacted my enclosure and made it so no bugs and my plant flourish.

  2. Roxy –

    Great for drainage layer in tanks

  3. Alexander –

    I’m actually using this product in my pepper hydroponics set up! I’d been searching the web for expanded clay mediums for months, but companies marketing towards “hydroponics” or “gardening supplies” wanted upwards of $60 for the exact same product…I discovered that expanded clay was also used in terrariums and reptile enclosures, but that the companies marketing towards “reptile enclosures” and “terrariums” were selling expanded clay mediums at a much better (and much fairer, in my opinion) price! There’s no difference that I can find between hydroponics expanded clay, and reptile expanded clay…just goes to show the mark-up on gardening supplies… if you’re looking for a great growing medium for your hydroponics set up, this is a fantastic option and a fantastic price! I have 9 pepper plants in kratky hydroponic containers, with 2″ net cups, and I only used around 1/20 of the bag. Not only is this a great value, but the quality of the medium is also there. The expanded clay balls are all round, and not different shapes with deformities. I know that isn’t important for the end-game but it is aesthetically pleasing and makes for a more uniform set up. The balls aren’t all the same size, but they’re close enough.

  4. bloodydawn –

    I bought Zoo Med HydroBalls to use to re-root a phalaenopsis orchid.

    Other reviewers have commented on the importance of rinsing these well—they are absolutely right. These carry an astonishing amount of dust with them. Mine arrived in good condition with no crushed bits. The amount of media you get for the price is excellent (but check with your local pet store if you typically pay shipping on Amazon.com orders—you may be able to get them for a similar price). I have been using these for a couple of weeks, so I can’t comment on their durability.

    What I especially liked about these HydroBalls was their size. They are about 1cm in diameter, or 3/8″. The last time I bought clay spheres, they were between 1/2″ and 5/8″ (which is good if you need more aeration). For my situation, the smaller sphere size is ideal. I think these will retain a bit more water in the winter, when it is very dry and my orchids typically struggle. The HydroBalls mixed well with some of the usual orchid potting medium.

    Note these will also work well for you if you’re developing a comedy routine, but you’re out of banana peels. If (when) you spill some, make sure you find them with your eyes instead of your feet.

  5. Brianna –

    This is the smallest LECA I’ve been able to find. My plants are growing well in it.

  6. Dillon Kentworth –

    Works well enough as a drainage substrate, I like it alot better than other types as the clay balls are nice and smooth and I don’t have to worry about it scratching or breaking the glass of my geckos tank. The bags are kinda small though so even for a small tank I did end up needing a couple bags, and honestly still could use some more.

  7. patches –

    Acquistate per una teca per tarantola, a lei non sono piaciute e le ha sparse in giro per tutta la teca. Forse più adatti ad un animale che non scava e butta tutto in giro

  8. Marcel –

    Bought to replace drainage media in my creaties viv, it works really well and you get plenty of it in the bag.

  9. Saints072 –

    Perfect for the first layer of a bio active tropical enclosure.

  10. Jocelyn DeFoe –

    Item was exactly as it was described by the seller, was on time and packaged securely.

  11. NRK –

    Works great for what I have been using them for a little too great actually bc after a while of using them I had to stop because they dried out my tank too fast. If you have a big tank though and need to try to keep the moisture down I’d definitely recommend using them tho

  12. Brianna –

    Cannot see the valls in photo they are at the bottom for drainage
    Exactly what I was looking for! Worked so well in my terrarium as part of the substrate would definitely recommend/buy again whether for plants or bioactive terrarium

  13. Andrew B –

    Ware schnell versendet und bestens angekommen

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