Bio Life Drainage Medium 10Ltr

An inert lightweight medium for constructing the drainage layer in bio-active terrariums.

ProRep Drainage Medium is produced by firing ash at a high temperature. As it fires the air bubbles in the material expand to form a honeycomb of interconnected chambers and create an inert, hard and lightweight material that will hold moisture and provides a large surface area for the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Used in the base of bio-active terrariums it creates a reservoir of water which moistens the substrate from below and helps to create a natural moisture gradient. The large surface area within each ball provides the ideal habitat for beneficial bacteria which will neutralise potentially harmful waste products formed within the ecosystem.

Directions:
Before use ProRep Drainage Medium should be washed under running water until the water runs clear. This removes any fine particles which may clog the small spaces in the medium and reduce its effectiveness.

Terrariums with no pond area:
Cover the base of the terrarium with 5-10cm of washed ProRep Drainage Medium.

Next place a separation mesh over the Drainage Medium, ensuring that it is completely covered. This allows water and oxygen to pass freely, but prevents the substrate being washed into the drainage layer.

Finally, place a suitable substrate, such as ProRep Bio Life Substrate, over the drainage medium, landscaping it as desired.

Forest set-ups are usually watered or misted freely from above to Keep the substrate damp. The drainage layer should be kept damp at all times with water visible at the bottom of the layer. The water level in the drainage layer should never rise high enough to come into contact with the substrate above. If this happens there is a risk of making the substrate too wet, leading to toxic conditions.

Desert setups may be watered sparingly from above, particularly around the plants, allowing the water to seep down to the drainage layer in the base of the terrarium. The drainage layer should be kept damp but try to avoid too much visible water. Alternatively a tube can be inserted through the substrate into the drainage layer to allow water to be poured directly into the base of the terrarium, creating a natural moisture gradient from underground.

Terrariums with a pond area:
Use retaining materials such as rocks or wood to form the outline of the pool. In the land area place washed drainage medium to a depth higher than the maximum depth of the water. This prevents the substrate coming in contact with the water and prevents water-logging. Once the drainage layer is in position cover with a separation mesh and substrate as above.