Hello hello! You're an incredible resource in bioactive enclosures and I'm very thankful! I had a question about drainage layers! Do you know of an alternative to hydroballs? Preferably cheaper and readily available? I have one bag of hydroballs, but not enough to fill my enclosure. Can I buy another similar material and substitute that instead of buying another? Or should I just buy another bag? Sorry if this is a silly question, thank you!!
No problem! I’d suggest shopping around and finding what the cheapest options are for you, as it may depend on what you can find locally or what you can get free shipping on, as well as the price of these products.
Drainage layer options:
Zoo Med Hydroballs
Exo Terra BioDrain
Hydroton Hydroponic Grow Rock
Growstone GS-1 Hydro Stones
LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate)
NEHerp LDL (lightweight drainage layer)
Josh’s Frogs False Bottom
TheBioDude Drainage Layer
Egg Crate
Gravel
Some of the hydroponics materials may be cheaper since they are not aimed at animal keepers.
If you absolutely can’t afford another drainage layer material, gravel is possible. You can use aquarium gravel. However, gravel is extremely heavy, and also doesn’t have capillary action which the other, porous drainage layers do.
Here is how to create a simple egg crate false bottom: (Page One, Two)
Here is a more complex build incorporating PVC pipe supports.
Let me know if you have any other questions!
