It all depends on what bromeliad you like to grow.
There is a difference in care.
Just as with all plants, there isn't just 1 method for all of them.

Clay is a very compact material, allowing little air.
In my experience, most bromeliads like to be mounted in stead of planted in soil,
except for very loose soil which allow lots of air so the roots are able to dry.
The roots of most species are just for holding.
Most bromeliads thrive best, when you cut most of the excisting rootings,
just leave 2 or 3 roots in place and mount them on something like wood, cork or tree fern panel.
Mounting them with some wire or robe, some moss around it to keep it moist a bit untill the new roots will start to grow and get a hold.
Then you might get rid of the wire and moss as the plant secured itself.

There are some species that could be planted in soil as well, but most of them grow up in the trees.

The watering part, humidity, air movement and temperatures are specific to different kinds of bromeliads.
So when you know which species you like to keep, you can see where to put it best, according to it's needs.
Most of them don't like to be wet all the time, giving the oppurtunity to dry up, as for all plants, before lights out will prevent them from rotting.