{"product_id":"zoo-med-hydroballs-expanded-clay-terrarium-substrate-brown-2-5-lb","title":"Zoo Med HydroBalls Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate - 2.5 lb","description":"\u003ch2\u003eExpanded Clay Base Layer for Naturalistic Terrariums\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eZoo Med HydroBalls Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate is a versatile base layer substrate designed for use in naturalistic terrarium setups. Used beneath Zoo Med's Eco Earth coconut fiber substrate or other top substrates, HydroBalls create an underground water table that supports humidity management and live plant growth in tropical reptile enclosures.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSimply add water to the HydroBalls layer to create a natural aquifer effect, increasing ambient humidity levels for tropical species that thrive in moist environments. The expanded clay structure also makes it an excellent medium for live plant root growth and can be used as a filtration layer for terrarium waterfalls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEach bag contains 2.5 lb of brown expanded clay substrate, providing enough material to establish a functional drainage and humidity base layer in a variety of terrarium sizes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Benefits\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreates an underground water table when used as a base layer beneath other substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncreases ambient humidity levels - ideal for tropical reptile and amphibian species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent medium for live plant root growth in naturalistic terrarium setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCan be used as a filtration layer for terrarium waterfalls\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with Zoo Med Eco Earth and other top substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReusable expanded clay material\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.5 lb bag provides ample coverage for a base drainage layer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Reptile Owners Choose It\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeepers building naturalistic or bioactive terrariums choose Zoo Med HydroBalls for their ability to create a functional drainage layer that prevents substrate waterlogging while maintaining the humidity levels tropical species need. The expanded clay structure supports live plant roots and works seamlessly with Zoo Med's Eco Earth substrate system, making it a go-to component for bioactive and planted terrarium builds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eQuick Product Snapshot\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerrarium Substrate - Base Layer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpanded Clay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended Use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBase drainage layer, humidity management, live plant support, waterfall filtration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHabitat Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNaturalistic and bioactive terrariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSpecies Compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical reptile and amphibian species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZoo Med\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU \/ Barcode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e097612720105\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMaterial and Design Breakdown\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eHydroBalls are made from expanded clay - a lightweight, porous material that absorbs and retains water while allowing excess moisture to drain freely. When layered at the base of a terrarium, the expanded clay creates a reservoir zone that separates standing water from the upper substrate layer, preventing root rot in live plants and keeping the surface substrate at the right moisture level for burrowing and surface-dwelling species alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe brown coloration blends naturally with soil-based substrates and organic terrarium materials, maintaining a naturalistic aesthetic in planted and bioactive setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSetup and Compatibility Guidance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlace HydroBalls as the bottom layer of your terrarium before adding your primary substrate. Add water directly to the HydroBalls layer to establish your underground water table. Layer Zoo Med Eco Earth or another compatible substrate on top. For waterfall setups, use HydroBalls as a filtration medium around the pump or water feature base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare and Maintenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMonitor water levels in the HydroBalls layer to maintain desired humidity. HydroBalls can be rinsed and reused when refreshing or rebuilding a terrarium setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIdeal for Reptile Keepers Who...\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre building naturalistic or bioactive terrariums for tropical species\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant to create a functional drainage layer to prevent substrate waterlogging\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre growing live plants in their reptile or amphibian enclosure\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeed to maintain elevated humidity levels for tropical reptiles or amphibians\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre incorporating a waterfall or water feature into their terrarium setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I use HydroBalls in my terrarium?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePlace HydroBalls as the bottom layer of your terrarium, add water to create an underground water table, then layer your primary substrate on top. Zoo Med Eco Earth is a compatible top substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat species benefit from HydroBalls?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHydroBalls are designed for tropical reptile and amphibian species that require elevated humidity levels in their enclosure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan HydroBalls support live plants?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes - the expanded clay structure is an excellent medium for live plant root growth in naturalistic terrarium setups.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan HydroBalls be used for waterfall filtration?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes - HydroBalls can be used as a filtration layer for terrarium waterfalls and water features.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre HydroBalls reusable?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes - HydroBalls can be rinsed and reused when refreshing or rebuilding a terrarium setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpanded clay base layer substrate for naturalistic terrariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCreates an underground water table to manage humidity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports live plant root growth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with Zoo Med Eco Earth and other substrates\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsable as waterfall filtration medium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrown color for a naturalistic aesthetic\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2.5 lb bag\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpecification\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZoo Med\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSKU\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e097612720105\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBarcode\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e097612720105\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eProduct Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerrarium Substrate - Base Layer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExpanded Clay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBrown\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSize\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWeight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2.5 lbs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHabitat Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNaturalistic and bioactive terrariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntended Use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBase drainage layer, humidity management, live plant support, waterfall filtration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePackage Contents\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 bag - 2.5 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e","brand":"Zoo Med","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48821025997029,"sku":"097612720105","price":8.09,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/7648\/7653\/files\/097612720105.jpg?v=1776436775","url":"https:\/\/petsperfect.com\/products\/zoo-med-hydroballs-expanded-clay-terrarium-substrate-brown-2-5-lb","provider":"Pets Perfect","version":"1.0","type":"link"}