hydro balls??

[hayleycole]

has anyone used or heard of hydro balls? if so how did you set it up and what did you think about them?

 

[ktravelet]

I think those are more for smaller cages with no drainage and little ventilation such as a frog aquarium. I'm sure there is place to use them in certain cham setup though.

Whats you cage setup like?

 

[GreenFlinger]

unless your using them for hydro application, i would ony use them as bottom liners for excess drainage.

 

[Solid Snake]

has anyone used or heard of hydro balls? if so how did you set it up and what did you think about them?

This is how Hydroton balls are used:

 

[reptilover]

My advice wasn't good enough I see
I'm sayin u can use em but a screen cage with a drainage system will make u and ur cham so much happier! I promise
If u don't like screen for viability replace the door screen with plexiglass. Worked for me

 

[sandrachameleon]

has anyone used or heard of hydro balls? if so how did you set it up and what did you think about them?

ya, clay balls - great for planted cages
I use them in some of my frog vivarriums (but my cham cages are bare floor because its easier for me)

 

[hayleycole]

i have a glass cage for now. with plans to get a screen cage in the near future.
im guna experiment with trial and error and see what works best. im guna try hydro balls at the bottom with a repti carpet on top of them. we will see if it helps any.

 

[chameleonfan101]

I use them for my pygmy chams I'll post some pictures when I get a chance!

 

[hayleycole]

I use them for my pygmy chams I'll post some pictures when I get a chance!

that would be great to see. thank you!

 

[kwilkens14]

i have a glass cage for now. with plans to get a screen cage in the near future.
im guna experiment with trial and error and see what works best. im guna try hydro balls at the bottom with a repti carpet on top of them. we will see if it helps any.

That's basically what I've done. I've got a zoomed 18x18x24 terrarium. And its glass except for the top and little slot under the door. I live in colorado and humidity here was a nightmare.

I have a layer of hydroballs on the bottom topped with screen. They've made humidity no issue at all. the biggest tip I can give you is wash the balls before you put them in. otherwise you'll end up with debris and sludge on the bottom

 

[hayleycole]

What do u have on top of the screen for substrate?
If im using the repti carpet over the balls should I still use screen between them?

How often do u have to clean the balls?

 

[brandon1]

What do u have on top of the screen for substrate?
If im using the repti carpet over the balls should I still use screen between them?

How often do u have to clean the balls?

I'm going to use hydro balls and the way I'm going to do it is: place a 2" layer of hydro balls on the bottom, then put screen over the hydro balls, then put a 10-12" layer of organic soil on top of the screen. Then just add the plants

BTW, you don't clean the balls on any regular basis...just wash them off before you put them in your cage to get all of the dust off of them

 

[kwilkens14]

Everyone here, as well as most of the reference sources say substrate is a big no no with chams. Due to its risk of impaction if ingested. They form a sturdy enough layer that my potted plants sit on them without wobbling or anything.

As far as cleaning them, I've had them for about a week. Noticed the sludge at the bottom from not cleaning them before putting them in. So I took them out of the terrarium (which sucked) washed them all off and then put them back in. I do a big clean up of the cage every other week where I wash down the glass and sanitize it again just to prevent any potential manifesting bacteria.

 

[BocaJan]

I use hydroballs all the time in my terrariums. I have a blog that describes how I set up my terrariums. They are all set up this way and always smell sweet and never mold.

https://www.chameleonforums.com/blogs/bocajan/527-creating-pygmy-terrarium.html

 

[reptilover]

How often do u have to clean the balls?

I clean mine daily


Sorry for the immature comment the child in me said pass this up and ill take u out..

 

[chameleonfan101]

that would be great to see. thank you!

as promised.

 

[hayleycole]

thank you for all the help, everyone. the hydro balls are working great!!! :]

 

[kwilkens14]

as promised.

What kind of substrate is that? I've wanted to put some in there on top of the balls, but haven't really known what direction to go in on that front.

 

[hayleycole]

I know ur not exactly talking to me. However I used repti carpet and its working great. But I also dont have any live plants.

 

[chameleonfan101]

What kind of substrate is that? I've wanted to put some in there on top of the balls, but haven't really known what direction to go in on that front.

that is eco-earth (shaved coconut) i believe it is from zoomed.