WINTER SALE, PLUS get £16 EXTRA OFF - SEE CODES >

WINTER SALE, PLUS get £16 EXTRA OFF - SEE CODES >

Drainage Substrate

View as Grid List

10 Items

per page
View as Grid List

10 Items

per page

Help and advice on shopping for: Drainage Substrate

Filter excess water in damp or wet enclosures

A drainage substrate is an essential part of any tropical or humid enclosure. Our range of high-quality drainage substrates from Exo Terra, Lucky Reptile and HabiStat prevent the substrate from becoming a stagnant pool and provide excellent drainage in your terrarium.

What are drainage substrates?

In planted terrariums, drainage substrates are used to prevent the roots from rotting. This layer is added at the bottom of your terrarium, below the substrate and mesh, to protect your soil from becoming waterlogged and provide a constant stream of moisture to ensure healthy growth and high humidity levels.

Why should I buy drainage substrates?

Real plants make a great impact on your vivarium, not only through the look of it, but they will also help to ensure that your humidity is kept up, which is perfect for rainforest or jungle setups. Within your terrarium, a drainage layer allows you to keep a layer of water at the bottom. This keeps the humidity high and ensures that the soil above is kept moist but not waterlogged. This is particularly important if you're keeping live plants or using a bioactive custodian set-up. By supporting the growth of strong roots in planted terrariums, this substrate contains live beneficial bacteria as well, which will break down waste into organic compounds that can later be used by plants for food.

How are drainage substrates set up?

To create good drainage in your tank, simply use a layer of hydro rocks on the bottom of the enclosure. By using hydro rocks, you create a reservoir of water in your terrarium, which helps maintain the ecosystem. Then place a layer of hydro matting neatly over the top of this. By having your water reservoir underneath, allows the water to be drawn upwards and keeps the top layer of substrate, be that soil or sand, moist and fresh. This means you can keep plants easily, providing them with fresh water and good drainage, so they can thrive. Then place your chosen substrate on the top, and water gently, filling at least half of the depth of hydro rocks.