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Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 6,310 ratings
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Amazon's Choice in Aquarium Gravel by Fluval

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Stratum
4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Substrate

Purchase options and add-ons

Brand Fluval
Liquid Volume 4.4 Liters
Item Weight 4.4 Pounds
Item Form Granules
Target Species Fish, Shrimp, Plant

About this item

  • Facilitates Rapid and Beneficial Colonization: Its porous structure enables swift colonization of beneficial nitrifying organisms, fostering a healthy aquatic environment crucial for the well-being of aquarium inhabitants
  • Maintains Optimal pH Levels: Designed to sustain a neutral to slightly acidic pH range, ideal for supporting the growth of various plants, tropical fish, and shrimp commonly found in planted aquarium setups
  • Offers Shelter for Newborn Shrimp: Stratum provides a safe haven for newborn shrimp, offering protection from potential predators until they reach a size where emerging into the main aquarium is viable
  • Preserves Water Quality: Ensures water clarity by preventing discoloration and effectively manages organic discoloration, especially in the presence of natural driftwood, while being specifically formulated for use in freshwater aquariums
  • 4.4 lb bag

Customer ratings by feature

Light weight
4.1 4.1
Easy to use
4.1 4.1
Style
4.1 4.1
Stability
4.0 4.0

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Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH
Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH
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Price$19.99$23.99$23.99$23.99-19% $29.99
List:$36.97
$29.99
Delivery
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Mar 27
Get it Mar 28 - 29
Customer Ratings
Value for money
4.0
3.3
3.8
3.3
3.8
4.4
Style
4.1
3.2
3.2
4.6
4.6
Easy to clean
2.9
3.7
2.9
2.9
4.4
Easy to use
4.1
4.5
3.8
4.5
Sheerness
3.8
3.2
4.5
Sold By
Amazon.com
SubstrateSource
SubstrateSource
SubstrateSource
Amazon.com
Petco
target species
Fish, Shrimp, Plant
Fish
Shrimp
Shrimp
Fish
Fish
liquid volume
4.4 liters
1 liters
1 liters
1 liters
15.4 liters
form
Granules
Granules
Granules
Granules
Granules
weight
4.4 pounds
1.99 pounds
1.99 pounds
1.99 pounds
3.1 pounds
20 pounds

Product information

Warranty & Support

Manufacturer’s warranty can be requested from customer service. Click here to make a request to customer service.

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Fluval

Fluval 12693 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 4.4 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH


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From the manufacturer

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum

Collected from the mineral rich foothills of the famous Mont Aso Volcano in Japan. Fluval Stratum is the substrate for stimulating the growth of aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums. Plant roots easily penetrate and spread throughout the substrate, allowing plants to obtain a variety of key, readily available nutrients that will make them flourish.

The addition of Fluval Plant Micro Nutrients will ensure a full complement of essential macro and micro nutrients. The substrate's light, non-compacting, porous structure is also highly beneficial to nitrifying bacteria, which rapidly colonize the vast porous surface, providing optimal water quality for plants.

Product Description

Fluval Stratum serves as the optimal substrate for freshwater aquariums, fostering the flourishing growth of aquatic plants. Its porous structure facilitates easy root penetration and nutrient absorption, enabling live plants to thrive by accessing essential nutrients. Supplementing with Fluval Plant Micronutrients ensures a comprehensive array of macro and micronutrients, essential for plant vitality. This substrate's lightweight, non-compacting composition is highly conducive to the rapid colonization of nitrifying organisms. These swiftly inhabit the extensive porous surface, contributing to superior water quality conducive to genuine plant growth.

Fluval Stratum's inherent properties also help maintain a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for various plant species, tropical fish, and shrimp typically found in planted aquariums. Moreover, it provides a secure haven for newly introduced aquarium shrimp, shielding them from predators until they reach a sufficient size to venture into the main tank.

Designed to preserve water clarity, Fluval Stratum does not cause water discoloration and effectively manages organic discoloration often associated with natural driftwood aquarium décor. Explore Fluval's diverse range of aquarium products, from filters to decorations, suitable for freshwater and saltwater tanks of all sizes.
br>Promotes Robust Plant Growth: Stratum fosters vigorous plant development by facilitating easy root penetration and nutrient absorption, aiding in the acquisition of vital nutrients essential for growth

Looking for specific info?

Important information

Ingredients

Volcanic Soil

Directions

Follow individual packaging instructions.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
6,310 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the appearance, performance, and plant protection of the aquarium pond water treatment. For example, they mention it looks great, works well, and supports healthy plant growth. That said, some complain about the cleanliness, saying it's extremely dusty and makes the tank very dirty. Opinions are mixed on value, ease of use, and cloudiness.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

130 customers mention109 positive21 negative

Customers like the quality of the aquarium pond water treatment. They say it's a very good substrate, media, and helps with the health of shrimp. Some customers also mention that it fits all their needs and is a good substrate for their betta.

"...It’s a very good media if not disturbed frequently...." Read more

"...But if you’re looking for a more long term naturalized tank… yes, this stuff is good. My plants love it with no ill effects in a PROPERLY CYCLED TANK." Read more

"...Nothing to complain. Great substrate, spheres with good resistance." Read more

"This stuff is great. I’ll use it in every aquarium I own from now on. It pairs super well with plants in an aquarium...." Read more

121 customers mention110 positive11 negative

Customers are satisfied with the plant protection. They mention that it supports healthy plant growth, and it enhances the tank's appearance. Some say that it is easy to work with and keeps the plants happy. Overall, they are happy with the product and recommend it to others.

"...Not only does it provide a nutrient-rich substrate that supports healthy plant growth, but it also enhances the overall aesthetic of my tank...." Read more

"...It's Great for your plants and life cycle on the tank. I have another tank with shrimps and they seem to love it...." Read more

"Used this for my new planted aquarium and my plants are thriving. I have to go and trim my plants weekly...." Read more

"my alocasias root so quick in this substrate. have purchased several times already." Read more

60 customers mention57 positive3 negative

Customers like the appearance of the aquarium pond water treatment. They mention that the sand looks great, it brightens the colors of their shrimp, and it makes their tank look super clean.

"...substrate that supports healthy plant growth, but it also enhances the overall aesthetic of my tank...." Read more

"...Works great and the dark color looks great 👍..." Read more

"The sand looks great. Little hard on washing and cleaning . End product is worth the penny" Read more

"...The gravel was very pretty and after thorough washing was still dusting but I think it would do well for plants just not in an aquarium with live..." Read more

35 customers mention35 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the substrate. They mention that it works well as a substrate, does well with the water parameters, and is easy to use. Some customers also say that it's great for succulent propagation and has had great success. Overall, most are happy with the product's performance.

"...Works great and the dark color looks great 👍..." Read more

"Works great to get strong roots. Just be sure to rinse a lot." Read more

"Came as advertised, works so well, I ordered (2) more bags for a 20 gallon I've decided to setup...." Read more

"...Totally works! I have had a very high success rate with every alocasia corm propagations and have used it to rehab plants that had previous root rot..." Read more

63 customers mention21 positive42 negative

Customers are mixed about the cloudiness of the aquarium pond water treatment. Some mention that the initial cloudiness went away just as fast as any other substrate they have used, and the water was crystal clear. However, others say that it really clouds the water before settling and the powder lands everywhere when it does settle.

"...up in the morning the next day the water was relatively clear but a little cloudy. It’s a very good media if not disturbed frequently...." Read more

"...I rinsed the prills before I put them into the tank so my water didn’t get very cloudy like other people have described...." Read more

"...Sigh. The tank was a dark murky mess for a good 2 days before it finally settled & cleared out...." Read more

"...The water waas a little murky at first but the next morning it was crystal clear and we could see right through it. Yay!..." Read more

51 customers mention28 positive23 negative

Customers are mixed about the value of the aquarium pond water treatment. Some mention that it has great value, while others say that it's not cheap to use.

"...Little hard on washing and cleaning . End product is worth the penny" Read more

"...However, that being said it has a few downsides. One being that it’s a little pricey ($15-$45 depending on bag size) compared to gravel, clay or sand..." Read more

"...I appreciate the reasonable price." Read more

"This is not cheap to use for the intended purpose. I find Perlite to work just as well if not even better than this product." Read more

30 customers mention19 positive11 negative

Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the aquarium pond water treatment. Some mention it's easy to use, does not require rinsing before use, and is soft so it'll hold plants in place. However, others say that it'd be too much of a hassle to enjoy, the process to clean the dirt can be quite time-consuming, and the whole setup was unsalvageable.

"...Seeing signs of multiple new leafs coming as well. Easy starter medium for plants." Read more

"...The plants seam to really enjoy the substrate, but it was very messy the first day or so of set up...." Read more

"I like this substrate for a planted tank. It is easy to work with and keeps the plants happy...." Read more

"...so , I decided to try it and it’s easy to use, you don’t have to pre-wash it you just spread it around the aquarium with your aquascaping tools , it..." Read more

74 customers mention19 positive55 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the cleanliness of the aquarium pond water treatment. They mention that it's very dusty to rinse, makes the tank very dirty, and coats everything in the tank. They also say that it causes small black dirt particles to cover their plants leaves. Some customers also mention that the sand looks great, but is hard on washing and cleaning.

"...First… this stuff is never going to rinse all the way. But was I even supposed to try?..." Read more

"The sand looks great. Little hard on washing and cleaning . End product is worth the penny" Read more

"...It didn't turn to dust/mud when I tried to plant or when I was fixing my hardscape...." Read more

"...full of water while I was trying to plant them & it just caused soooooo much black dust to cover my plants & now they are no longer green - no..." Read more

My Glo fish are very happy
5 Stars
My Glo fish are very happy
My Glo fish are very happy hence i recommend this product for sure. I read a lot of reviews saying it's a hassle because it makes your water muddy/black which it's a big confusion and misunderstanding.Always remember that you have to prepare the tank including the stratum BEFORE having your fish. Let it sit for 2 to 3 days with your filter on and start cycling. Don't rinse/wash out all the nutrients that are included on it! If you are unsure wash it once or twice but no more, since it breaks it which is what causes the murky view and you are washing away all the good stuffs!It's Great for your plants and life cycle on the tank. I have another tank with shrimps and they seem to love it.Even for a beginner tank shouldn't be an issue if you follow the instruction properly and do re search on how to prep your tank. I would recommend
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
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5.0 out of 5 stars Very good for my ghost shrimps
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
I recently purchased the Pluval Shrimp Tank Soil for my aquarium, and I couldn't be happier with the results! The soil has proven to be an excellent choice for creating a thriving environment for my shrimp. Not only does it provide a nutrient-rich substrate that supports healthy plant growth, but it also enhances the overall aesthetic of my tank. Now I am just waiting for my fish tank grass to grow and add my shrimps in the new fish tank.
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One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2023
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
13 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
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5.0 out of 5 stars My Glo fish are very happy
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2024
My Glo fish are very happy hence i recommend this product for sure. I read a lot of reviews saying it's a hassle because it makes your water muddy/black which it's a big confusion and misunderstanding.

Always remember that you have to prepare the tank including the stratum BEFORE having your fish. Let it sit for 2 to 3 days with your filter on and start cycling. Don't rinse/wash out all the nutrients that are included on it! If you are unsure wash it once or twice but no more, since it breaks it which is what causes the murky view and you are washing away all the good stuffs!

It's Great for your plants and life cycle on the tank. I have another tank with shrimps and they seem to love it.

Even for a beginner tank shouldn't be an issue if you follow the instruction properly and do re search on how to prep your tank. I would recommend
Images in this review
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One person found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
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5.0 out of 5 stars Great stuff
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
I got this to propagate plants with. I love it. I had a snake plant in water for 2 months and it did nothing. I chopped the end and planted it in this stuff and I found roots growing after 4 weeks.
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11 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
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5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect for my aquarium
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2024
The sand looks great. Little hard on washing and cleaning . End product is worth the penny
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Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
One person found this helpful
Report

Top reviews from other countries

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Noella hermans
5.0 out of 5 stars Parfait pour les caridina
Reviewed in Belgium on February 14, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
Daniel
5.0 out of 5 stars Ottima
Reviewed in Italy on January 31, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
Lorena B
5.0 out of 5 stars Toller Bodengrund
Reviewed in Germany on January 30, 2024
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
Jeanmaire Alexis
5.0 out of 5 stars Bon substrat
Reviewed in France on October 6, 2023
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase
9Cows
5.0 out of 5 stars My choice for 5 years now
Reviewed in India on September 16, 2023
Color: StratumSize: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)Style: SubstrateVerified Purchase