Zoo Med HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate, 2.5-lb

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About This Item

Details

  • HydroBalls are made of expanded clay for a terrarium substrate.
  • Can be used underneath other substrates to create an underground water table.
  • Add water to create a natural aquifier and increase humidity levels for your critters.
  • Ideal for live plant root growth.
  • Can be used as filtration for a waterfall.

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Questions & Answers

7 Customer Questions

How many quarts or liters per 2.5 gallon bag?

Answer by Chewy • Jul 20, 2021
The 2.5 pound bag converts to 9.4 liters.

How many bags would I need for a forty-gallon tank?

Answer by Chewy • Nov 21, 2019
Determining how much substrate to buy for your new aquarium depends on the size and shape of your tank, as well as the depth of the substrate bed you wish to achieve. We suggest 1 pound of substrate per gallon, to achieve a 1 inch bed or 2 pounds per gallon, for a 2 inch deep bed.

How large pebbles?

Answer by Chewy • Oct 15, 2019
The HydroBalls may vary in size, however they are approximately 0.5 inches on average.

Would these be safe for a chinese water dragon?

Answer by Chewy • Apr 18, 2022
The Hydroballs can be used as a drainage layer underneath the substrate for a Chinese water dragon. However it is not recommended to us use them on top of the substrate to avoid your water dragon accidentally ingesting them.
Reviews
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4.4
Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars
47 Ratings
Terms & Conditions

17 Customer Reviews

Rated 4 out of 5 stars
By Grey on May 4, 2025

My plants love these!

I've been using these pebbles for several years now to grow plants in semi-hydroponic pots, and my plants LOVE them. They're heavier and smaller than most other

I've been using these pebbles for several years now to grow plants in semi-hydroponic pots, and my plants LOVE them. They're heavier and smaller than most other sources I see, but that's great for roots that need a firmer base for more support. Here in the desert, these prevent the rapid evaporation common with the larger leca pebbles.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By SCARLETT on Jun 30, 2025

Works great

Works great as a drainage lair for my crested geckos bioactive vivarium .

Works great as a drainage lair for my crested geckos bioactive vivarium .

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By 2345 on Oct 28, 2025

Good

Will use again

Will use again

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Lesly on Sep 14, 2025

Useful

Easy to use

Easy to use

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Kaitlin on Sep 14, 2024

Not leca and moldy

These are very dense and heavy, not like other leca I’ve encountered. Both bags also came so wet on the inside, the balls were moldy. I definitely wouldn’t use these

These are very dense and heavy, not like other leca I’ve encountered. Both bags also came so wet on the inside, the balls were moldy. I definitely wouldn’t use these in a habitat set up and don’t even feel comfortable using them in my outdoor carnivorous plant setup as I don’t know how well the mold will wash out.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Linda on Mar 20, 2025

Exactly what I needed.

Was able to order and it was available.

Was able to order and it was available.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars
By Kathryn on Mar 16, 2025

too soon to tell

For my plants, too soon to tell

For my plants, too soon to tell

Rated 5 out of 5 stars
By Mary on Jul 31, 2024

Clay Terrarium Substrate

Best price on HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate

Best price on HydroBalls Lightweight Expanded Clay Terrarium Substrate

Rated 1 out of 5 stars
By Ivy on Nov 25, 2023

Not As Advertised / Buyer Beware

The picture in the add indicate these are round, brown, LECA (Lightweight Expandable Clay Aggregate) balls that are porous and lightweight. This is the complete

The picture in the add indicate these are round, brown, LECA (Lightweight Expandable Clay Aggregate) balls that are porous and lightweight. This is the complete opposite. The balls are tiny, grey, heavy, and not porous at all. They look like little rocks. I would not consider this to be LECA.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars
By K9luvr70 on May 2, 2022

Misleading describes

When one reads lightweight expanded one imagines lightweight porous airy balls similar to hydroton. These are heavy solid balls not porous at all.

When one reads lightweight expanded one imagines lightweight porous airy balls similar to hydroton. These are heavy solid balls not porous at all.