what exactly do hydro balls do
- Thread starter gstspyder
- Start date
Solid Snake
Avid Member
They are expanded clay balls. Meaning they are aerated.
It is my understanding, that this added surface area of the ball, gives the water more places to go/evaporate from.
It is my understanding, that this added surface area of the ball, gives the water more places to go/evaporate from.
Mozart
New Member
They hold more moisture. I recommend them if you are having issues keeping humidity, But also just bark or soil from a pet store is great too
CaptainMorgantown
New Member
I love hydroballs. I use them all of the time with my frog tanks. Like someone said, they are a great way to hold in moisture and keep the humidity up
Yes! By having hydroballs at the bottom it pulls water out of the soil so it doesn't stay so wet that it rots/molds, and the shape/structure of them allows water to evaporate better.
as most said its just a layer of drainage nothing fancy .Expanded clay balls are sold under various names. Lighter and more efficient then heavy rocks that would do the same thing. water will naturally puddle to bottom and dry out instead of being compacted in layers of soaked soil rotting roots and moldy substrate. If kept excessively wet balls will still mold and you can have issues it just helps.
chamlover98
New Member
they do a lot they make a mess. and you spend 20 mins pre draining them to get the clay/dirt whatever off until water cycles clean (well thats what your told to do)
20 mins ? I throw a handful in a strainer rinse and throw in bottom. takes all but 2 mins.
chamlover98
New Member
I got a bad bag the hydro balls kept falling apart finally they got down to small bite sized pieces before they stopped draining dirty water. I just gave a possible estimate
I got a bad bag the hydro balls kept falling apart finally they got down to small bite sized pieces before they stopped draining dirty water. I just gave a possible estimate
lol well thats no good. I get the big bags from garden shops. Hydroton. Lasts a while and no small pieces $35 will do 8 terrariums
It gets easier I guess after you been doing it for a while .
chamlover98
New Member
sounds good might try those
Goldenarcher1328
New Member
I would say yes, i use them in my 5x2x7 enclosure as a foot of drainage below a garden that acts as the enclosure floor.
Carlton
Chameleon Enthusiast
But also just bark or soil from a pet store is great too
No, this is NOT a great idea! Chams can and do pick up bits of substrate and bark on their tongues if shooting loose feeders from the cage floor. Bark and soil can mold or rot, adding a lot of bacteria to your cage environment unless you are changing out the substrate very often.
Using hygroton to hold humidity can work because most of the balls are too heavy or large for a cham to hold on its tongue long enough to get into it's mouth. But, I'd definitely sift through the hygroton and remove the small ones first. There is little organic matter in this drainage layer (if it is cleaned regularly) to support mold or rot, and the balls can be sterilized in hot water/bleach and re-used. I've used hygroton in a few cages, especially for my Malaysian leaf frogs, but covered it with windowscreen so less fecal material or loose feeders got down into it. Actually, I stitched the screen into a sort of flat bag sized for each cage so the hygroton wasn't just loose...didn't waste all that time trying to scoop it up, confine it, pour it, every time I cleaned it. The easier it is to clean cages the more often it gets done!
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