{"product_id":"premium-expanded-clay-balls-bioactive-drainage-layer-media-1-gallon","title":"Premium Expanded Clay Balls (Bioactive Drainage Layer Media) – 1 Gallon","description":"\u003cp\u003eEstablish the ultimate biological foundation for your live ecosystem with our \u003cstrong\u003ePremium Expanded Clay Balls\u003c\/strong\u003e. Packed in a generous \u003cstrong\u003e1-gallon (4-quart) bag\u003c\/strong\u003e, our premium store-brand media is meticulously sourced and engineered to be the highest quality, lightest, and most reliable false-bottom substrate on the market.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEvery thriving tropical terrarium or vivarium requires a dedicated drainage layer to capture excess water pooling through the soil. Without one, your substrate quickly becomes waterlogged and swampy, causing stagnant root rot in your live plants and destroying your cleanup crew populations. Our expanded clay balls feature an incredible internal \u003cstrong\u003ehoneycomb pore structure\u003c\/strong\u003e that acts as a natural underground aquifer. This structural design locks in moisture to naturally stabilize your enclosure's humidity while providing an astronomical amount of surface area for beneficial bio-filtering bacteria to colonize and keep your setup pristine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy Our Store Brand is the Best:\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTrue Lightweight Formula:\u003c\/strong\u003e Significantly lighter than heavy river rocks, gravel, or cheaper clay alternatives, protecting your glass bottom and making your completed enclosures effortless to move.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUltra-Porous Surface Area:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly optimized texture accelerates the growth of beneficial nitrifying microbes and mycorrhizal fungi while encouraging flawless capillary action for live plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e100% Inert \u0026amp; Bio-Secure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Completely non-toxic, pH-neutral, and crafted from high-fired natural clay. It will never degrade, expire, or rot, lasting the entire lifespan of your bioactive ecosystem.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect Multi-Species Support:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly recommended for high-humidity tropical systems housing delicate species like Oophaga dart frogs, tree frogs, crested geckos, and rare invertebrates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eHow to Install Your Drainage Layer\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Base:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pour a 2 to 3-inch layer of our Premium Clay Balls directly onto the clean bottom of your empty glass terrarium. \u003cem\u003e(Pro Tip: Give them a quick rinse with clean water before pouring to clear out any natural clay dust from transit).\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Barrier:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lay down a fine mesh substrate separator screen directly over the top of the clay balls. This stops your loose dirt from slipping into the water table.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Substrate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Add your bioactive soil mix and leaf litter on top of the mesh barrier, and begin planting your custom jungle!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVolume Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1 Gallon Bag (4 Quarts)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100% Natural, Kiln-Fired Expanded Clay Aggregate (LECA)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAverage Ball Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOptimized mixed sizes for maximum structural support and airflow space\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCoverage Estimate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOne bag provides approximately 1\" of depth in a standard 18\" x 18\" footprint enclosure.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Local NJ Pickup Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e📦 \u003cstrong\u003eSafe \u0026amp; Secure Nationwide Shipping:\u003c\/strong\u003e This item is fully eligible for fast nationwide shipping! We hand-pack our custom substrates in heavy-duty poly bags to prevent splits or tears during transit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e🏪 \u003cstrong\u003eIn-Store NJ Pickup:\u003c\/strong\u003e Local to the area? Save on shipping and select \"Local Pickup\" at checkout to grab your premium drainage media, live plants, or livestock directly from our New Jersey storefront counters!\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Major League Exotic Pets","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47976839446679,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0664\/0189\/4551\/files\/IMG_1512.jpg?v=1783201669","url":"https:\/\/majorleagueexotics.com\/products\/premium-expanded-clay-balls-bioactive-drainage-layer-media-1-gallon","provider":"Major League Exotic Pets","version":"1.0","type":"link"}