Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Dark Brown, 2 kg (Pack of 1)

While I am still fairly new to the aquarium hobby, I have become somewhat addicted, as appears to be common among our community! Something to note in advance that although you may have read that this Substrate does not leech ammonia, it does appear leech a small amount; enough to stress Shrimp, but probably not enough to bother most fish. I was recording about 0.5 on my Test kit, and I had not added any Ammonia myself at that point just yet. You must cycle your aquarium properly with this substrate. I have used a few types of substrate in my tanks, including cheap potting soil in a "Walstad" style tank. The Fluval Stratum Substrate is my favourite insofar for planted aquariums. This substrate is very light and my plants rooted through it quickly with apparent ease. I would recommend using some aqua-scaping tweezers to plant with, as I feel you would struggle using your fingertips due to how light it is; though, most hobbyists will have already invested in these sorts of tools. I was able to plant dwarf hairgrass in blades of 6-12 across the entire tank without any uprooting. It is nutrient dense are all growing healthily at a rate I am pleased with, even without the use of liquid Co2, or any fertilisers. I did not wash the soil as some other substrates recommend, but my water is still crystal clear! Though, I recommend covering the floor of the aquarium a plastic bag and filling the tank slowly to prevent disturbance, which helps prevent any initial cloudiness and reduces the chance of your newly-planted plants uprooting. This substrate is quite pricey but in my opinion for a hobbyist looking to create a densely planted tank it is worth every penny. Note: I would not recommend using this substrate for fish that like to poke around the substrate, such as goldfish; nor would I recommend it for snails, as they may uproot your plants. It's perfect for shrimp aquariums, and excellent for other fish which don't dig as much, such as Bettas.

I use instead of soil for my baby/young plants before transitioning in to Pon. Can be used to revive plants that have experienced root rot. Fluval is valuable for money, make a small opening as the tiny balls will go everywhere. I have experienced positive plant recovery and growth.

Absolutely brilliant . I’ve placed this in my terracotta pots for my tank , and my plants are thriving . Great size , fab value for money , colour is jet black . Make sure to gently rinse as instructions state .

The Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum substrate has made a noticeable difference in my aquarium, plants rooted quickly and are growing much better. It helps maintain stable water parameters, which is ideal for shrimp and other sensitive tank inhabitants. The natural look enhances the aquascape, and it was easy to rinse and set up. Great quality, reliable results, and well worth it for planted tanks and shrimp keepers.

Having read the reviews, I decided not to rinse the product first, and added a layer 4cm deep to my slighty damp tank. I then topped this with a layer of fine sand. I placed plastic on top, including some food container tops to stop this being disturbed when adding the water, which was from this tank prior. Water added gently, then removed the plastic layer, giving very clear water, so plants and fish could be added straight away as the water was already at the correct temperature

happy with the soil once it sets, would recomend rinsing it first.

There’s a reason this stratum is a popular choice. Looks great in the aquarium and easy to handle. Although instructions say to rinse first before adding, I wouldn’t recommend it as it turns the water black. Otherwise a great product, here’s my happy shrimp

This soil is of great quality and i have used it in aquascaping tanks. It also performs exceptionally well in ponds. A 50/50 mixture of the soil with gravel is ideal for placement in pots, capped with sand and gravel., its versatility extends beyond aquatic environments, Its suitability for terrariums with various mixes is also noteworthy. I have personally utilised it with cactus and sand gravel, and the round balls facilitate the circulation of air around the roots thus preventing root rot. This soil has been a reliable for several years, and there is no need for rinsing. Instead, fill it extremely slowly or cap it with gravel or sand. Alternatively, you can place it in mesh bags and cap them with sand and gravel the plant will easily penetrate the mesh. A good filter will effectively capture any stray particles. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SOME INDIVIDUALS REPORT MUDDY WATER OR OTHER ISSUES, WHICH CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO IMPROPER USAGE OF THE SOIL