{"id":70,"date":"2019-11-09T16:17:20","date_gmt":"2019-11-09T10:47:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.wehydroponics.com\/store\/?post_type=product&#038;p=70"},"modified":"2026-03-25T23:11:15","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T17:41:15","slug":"clay-balls","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/www.wehydroponics.com\/store\/product\/clay-balls\/","title":{"rendered":"Expanded Clayballs \/ Hydrotons (LECA) \/ Clay Pebbles , Floating"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Clay pebbles also known as LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate), Hydrotons, or expanded clay are lightweight, porous, semi-rounded pellets made from 100% natural clay. These are thermally expanded at high temperatures (appx. 1200\u00b0C), which causes the clay to &#8220;pop&#8221; like popcorn, forming a structure full of micro and macro-pores.<\/p>\n<p>Expanded clay pebbles or LECA resemble oddly shaped, semi-rounded pieces of clay-colored popcorn. The high-heat popping during the manufacturing process gives the medium its large, airy macro-pores (spaces between each piece of expanded clay), in addition to its micro-pores, which are contained within each piece of expanded clay.<\/p>\n<p>Horticultural clay pebbles are\u00a0 clean, pH stable, and offer great aeration and drainage in hydroponics, especially in flood and drain, deep water culture, and drip feed systems. Due to their unique structure and ability to cover a large surface area, they offer the ideal environment to foster beneficial bacterial growth around the root zone, leading to naturally healthier plants.<br \/>\nDrain freely and do not hold any excess water, providing good oxygen levels around the root; suitable for flood and drain systems, multi-pot and drip feed systems.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>1\u20134 mm \u2013 Small Grade Clayballs<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Appearance <\/strong>: Fine, small-sized round particles resembling gravel.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Uses<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Seed starting trays :<\/strong> Perfect for germination media.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microgreens &amp; baby leafy greens<\/strong> : Ensures uniform moisture and aeration.<\/li>\n<li><strong>EBB &amp; Flow<\/strong> : As hydroponics \/ aquaponics media.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Top dressing in potted plants <\/strong>: Prevents soil splash and fungal gnats.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Biofilter media in aquaponics <\/strong>: Large surface area for microbial colonies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Advantages <\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>High surface area to volume ratio for beneficial bacteria.<\/li>\n<li>Retains moisture without clogging.<\/li>\n<li>Settles and fills netpot base tightly for small plant stabilizing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Netpot Compatibility:\u00a0 <\/strong>Small Grade Clayballs are not recommended with netted pot.<\/p>\n<h4><strong> 8\u201315 mm \u2013 Regular Grade Clayballs<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Appearance<\/strong> : Medium-sized, semi-rounded pebbles.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Uses:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>General hydroponic systems <\/strong>: DWC, flood &amp; drain, drip systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kratky method <\/strong>: Keeps base stable while allowing air gaps.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aquaponics grow beds <\/strong>: Excellent drainage and bacteria habitat.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Indoor decorative planters <\/strong>: Combines aesthetics with utility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Advantages:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Balanced water retention and air space.<\/li>\n<li>Provides anchorage for most hydroponic vegetables.<\/li>\n<li>Doesn\u2019t compress or decompose over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Netpot Compatibility:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>2-inch netpots \u2013 Usable, Suitable as a top covering or bottom filling.<\/li>\n<li>3-inch netpots \u2013 Perfect fit.<\/li>\n<li>5-inch netpots \u2013 Suitable as a mid-layer or with mix.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><strong>15\u201330 mm \u2013 Big Grade Clayballs<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p><strong>Appearance <\/strong>: Large, lightweight, hollow-core balls with porous texture.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best Uses:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Heavy plants <\/strong>: Tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers needing more base support.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Dutch bucket systems <\/strong>: Enhances drainage and structural hold.<\/li>\n<li>Aeration layer in large pots and containers.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Aquascaping or aquarium base media <\/strong>: Visually appealing and highly porous.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Advantages<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>High oxygen exchange.<\/li>\n<li>Structural support for larger plants.<\/li>\n<li>Doesn\u2019t compact or block airflow in root zone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Netpot Compatibility:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>2-inch netpots \u2013 Too large; poor anchorage.<\/li>\n<li>3-inch netpots \u2013 Feasible only if mixed with smaller sizes.<\/li>\n<li>5-inch netpots \u2013 Ideal for base fill and plant stability.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Note : These clayballs are designed to float when dry, though <strong data-start=\"817\" data-end=\"872\">they may partially sink or become neutrally buoyant<\/strong> after prolonged soaking, especially the small ones, but they will still not sink completely like dense stones.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<ul>\n<li>Low density Floating &#8211; Clayballs \/ Hydrotons \/ Clay pebbles \/ LECA \/ Expanded clay pebbles<\/li>\n<li>These are regular and standard clayballs used in Hydroponics<\/li>\n<li>Clay pebbles are also known as expanded clay pebbles or hydroton.<\/li>\n<li>Made from 100% natural clay<\/li>\n<li>Used in hydroponics, aquaponics, indoor gardening, aquariums<\/li>\n<li>Highly stable to both varying pH and EC<\/li>\n<li>Size range\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>1mm &#8211; 4 mm, with a density of appx. 490 kg\/m3 (Partial floating)<\/li>\n<li>8mm &#8211; 15 mm, with a density of appx. 230 kg\/m3 (full floating)<\/li>\n<li>15mm &#8211; 22 mm, with a density of appx. 230 kg\/m3 (full floating)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Porosity 90%, Hydric Retention 20%<\/li>\n<li>Quantity &#8211; 2L\u00a0 | 4L | 20L | 50L | 100L<\/li>\n<li>Country of Origin : India<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":8807,"template":"","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[202,12],"product_tag":[42],"mwb_booking_cost":[],"mwb_booking_service":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-70","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-clayballs","7":"product_cat-media","8":"product_tag-soilless-media","9":"product_shipping_class-small-package","11":"first","12":"instock","13":"sale","14":"taxable","15":"shipping-taxable","16":"purchasable","17":"product-type-variable","18":"has-default-attributes"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Expanded Clayballs \/ Hydrotons (LECA) \/ Clay Pebbles , Floating - WE Hydroponics<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Hydrotons \/ clayballs are made from 100% natural clay. 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