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

Product Information

I use Fluval Stratum in a 155 gallon planted aquarium. The tank is the one shown in the image above. I planted it up originally in January 2020 with around 30 small Crypt Wendtii plants. I have been amazed at how easily the Crypts spread (they grow by sending runners out under the substrate). According to Fluval, Stratum will last about 1.5 to 2 years. At the time of writing, my Stratum has been in the aquarium for almost 1.5 years and I see no signs of it breaking down or needing replacing. If you’re looking to add some Fluval Stratum to your existing tank, there are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind. First, make sure that the stratum is completely dry before adding it to your tank. If there’s even a little bit of moisture present, it could cause the stratum to break down and release harmful toxins into the water. Even after washing your Stratum, you will notice it still turns the water slightly cloudy when you fill your aquarium up for the first time. DO NOT PANIC! You will find that within 24 to 48 hours of your filter running the water becomes crystal clear. If you’re looking to add Fluval Stratum to your aquarium, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, this soil is designed for freshwater tanks and should not be used in saltwater setups. Second, because it is a natural product, it will slowly break down over time and needs to be replaced every few months.

Stratum Series - Fluval USA

With a little care and attention, adding Fluval Stratum to an established tank can be a great way to give your plants a little extra boost! How to Use Fluval Stratum for Plants?

Do You Have to Rinse Fluval Stratum?

Fluval Stratum's inherent properties will help support a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for most plant species and species of tropical fish or shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums. Fluval Stratum also provides newborn shrimp with a refuge, allowing them to escape predators until they are large enough to emerge. This highly attractive substrate will not discolour water and helps control organic discolouration usually present when natural driftwood is used.

Fluval Stratum Vs. ADA Aquasoil Flourite Vs. Eco-Complete Vs. Fluval Stratum Vs. ADA Aquasoil

Collected from the mineral-rich foothills of Mount Aso Volcano in Japan, Fluval Stratum is the ideal substrate for stimulating the growth of aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums and those featuring shrimp. Avoid aggressive water changes – You don’t want to disturb your Fluval stratum too often. For this reason, you may need to perform more frequent water changes (1-2 times per week) for 10-15% of the total water volume. This is preferable to one 25% water change weekly since the latter can disturb the substrate in the process. Add water carefully – Fluval stratum is very sensitive to agitation. Pouring water forcefully into the tank will not only muddy the water instantly but break the pellets and destroy the substrate’s composure as well. Instead of using the hose directly, consider an indirect approach. In other words, place a plastic container on the tank’s bottom and use the hose to fill it up. The water will pour gently over the container’s edges, allowing you to prevent stirring the substrate too much.

Is Fluval Stratum Dirty Water Safe for Fish?

Plus, you should replace your Fluval stratum every 2-3 years at most. That’s because it will lose its nutritional characteristics, rendering it useless for your plants. Conclusion

Stratum - Fluval Aquatics UK

Just remember that if you need to rinse your Fluval stratum before use, you should do it gently to avoid destroying the rest of the pellets. How to Clean Fluval Stratum? As above, Fluval appears to claim it will only last for up to 2 years, then presumably need replacing. I have yet to see this, so I would say no, it doesn’t need replacing unless it has broken down to a dusty mess. Should You Gravel Vacuum Fluval Stratum?

Conclusion

The good news for people setting up a Spec Aquarium, whether it is the smaller III or the larger V, one bag of whatever substrate you choose will probably be enough. It is because of the delicate feature of Stratum that can be broken down easily. You need to be highly cautious whenever cleaning it or changing your tank’s water so it will not get too damaged, causing it to be sloppy. How Do You Rinse Fluval Stratum Substrate? One water change per day – You want to perform one 10% water change per day until you get the desired result. You will probably only need 1-2 water changes for the situation to improve. Changing too much of the water at once or performing too many water changes within a day can change the water’s chemistry and parameters. Remember – patience. Empty the Tank: Before beginning any cleaning process, it is important to empty the tank of all decorations and fish. Remove them gently from their home and place in a separate container with some of their original water for temporary storage during the cleaning process. Some do not want to wash it as their concern is losing its natural substances and essential capabilities. They would just dust off the substrate, gently put it in the tank, and carefully fill it with water.