If you are ebb and flow I suggest anything but clay balls. (In ebb and flow) I been ebb and flow for years and have tried clay balls, peat pellets, rapid rooters and rockwool. Rapid rooter, peat pellets, or rockwool work best for me. I let the roots start showing then put em in the basket then use your clay balls and no worries about getting broke, you get more stability this way. This is just my opinion!