Use Cases: Aquariums, Reptiles, Planters & Decor
Natural Wyoming scoria (clinker) is porous, lightweight, and durable—perfect for living habitats and design. Explore how to use it safely and effectively.
Aquariums & Aquascaping
Scoria’s vesicular (bubble) texture provides huge surface area for beneficial bacteria—ideal as biological media and as a natural-looking hardscape.
- Best sizes: ClinkerFine™ (1/16–1/8 in) as filter media; ClinkerMedium™ (1/8–1/4 in) for top layer/aquascape base; ClinkerBlend™ for mixed textures.
- Prep: Rinse thoroughly in a bucket until water runs clear. Optional pre-soak if ultra-clear setups.
- Placement: Use bags/media baskets in canisters/sumps, or layer 0.5–1.5 in as substrate mix.
- Compatibility: Freshwater planted tanks, shrimp, community fish; verify for ultra-soft/blackwater systems.
Quick Dos & Don’ts
- Do rinse before use; do seed with bacteria for faster cycles.
- Don’t dump dust into a filled tank—prep in a bucket first.
Reptiles & Terrariums
Scoria creates a stable, naturalistic ground layer that helps with drainage and humidity while resisting compaction.
- Best sizes: ClinkerMedium™ for primary substrate; ClinkerFine™ to fill gaps or top-dress; ClinkerBlend™ for mixed habitats.
- Prep: Rinse to remove dust. For bioactive, add leaf litter and microfauna above a scoria drainage layer.
- Layering: 1–2 in drainage layer under soil mix; or 0.5–1 in as a stand-alone arid substrate with decor.
- Cleaning: Spot-clean; occasional sift/rinse keeps it like new.
Quick Dos & Don’ts
- Do test heat mats/lamps with a thermometer gun; scoria retains warmth.
- Don’t use sharp fragments for delicate species—select rounded pieces.
Planters & Hydroponics
Lightweight, airy, and inert after a thorough rinse—great for drainage layers, soil aeration, and as a reusable hydro medium.
- Best sizes: ClinkerMedium™ for drainage/root support; ClinkerFine™ to mix into soils; ClinkerBlend™ for varied pore spaces.
- Usage: 1–2 in at the bottom of pots; 10–30% mixed into soil; or fill net pots for recirculating systems.
- Maintenance: Rinse between cycles; sterilize if needed (boil or mild peroxide solution, then rinse).
Quick Dos & Don’ts
- Do rinse dust before mixing into soils.
- Don’t block drain holes—use mesh screens under scoria layer.
Decor & Landscaping
Use as top-dress in planters, accent in bowls/terrariums, or small landscape highlights. Durable color and texture that doesn’t fade quickly.
- Best sizes: Choose by look—Fine for uniform texture, Medium for chunky highlights, Blend for depth.
- Applications: Tabletop bowls, candle/air-plant accents, bonsai top-dress, pathway borders (small scale).
- Care: Dust occasionally; rinse if used with water features.