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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

Original price was: $17.99.Current price is: $15.28.

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Price: $17.99 - $15.28
(as of Oct 24, 2025 09:11:58 UTC – Details)


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
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3 x 6 x 11 inches; 4.4 Pounds
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 12693
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-Adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ July 18, 2014
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00JGQIY48
Best Sellers Rank: #3,282 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #2 in Aquarium Gravel
Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,876 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });

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

Customers say

Customers find the aquarium substrate effective for plant growth, with plants thriving in it and showing fast root development. The product receives positive feedback for its quality and suitability for planted tanks, with one customer noting it’s particularly good for Amazon sword plants. While some customers report clear water within hours of use, others experience cloudiness, and opinions on value are mixed, with some finding it worth the price while others consider it overpriced. Additionally, customers report issues with dustiness, noting that the substrate releases a lot of dirt upon first use.

13 reviews for 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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  1. William Axsom

    Mandatory Element in my tanks
    This has become a standard in my substrates, I blend it in with gravel, sand, whatever type I’m setting up. Planted tanks are the only way I roll, fully bioactive, and (virtually) changeless system set-up; soil is vital to plants and plants are vital to the chemistry. I’ve 2 products from this brand and I’m not inclined to change unless a real good reason manifests to do so. Neither product is what one may call ‘cheap,’ but it’s certainly worth the money, my aquatic plants are so healthy that some specimens are abnormally big and have been a challenge to identify. (some of my seed stock didn’t have anything but Chinese on the labels, so I had to wait until they grew to get them identified correctly.)The success I’m having with my tanks seems almost uncanny given I’m still something of a “newbie,” these are my first tanks, all are less than a year old, and to have nailed it on the complete and healthy ecosystem model like a pro is testament to how great the science is developed and disseminated – and to the quality of products. Soil is everything, whether in my garden beds, potted plants, or aquatics – same rules apply. As I’ve said many times already, my water quality tests are always so spot on that it looks like I’m ‘cheating,’ and this stuff is one of the ingredients achieving all that.

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  2. Edgel

    Miracle Substrate
    Fluval Stratum has been amazing for my plant care routine. I use it for seedlings and to rehab plants, and it’s been working perfectly for both. The texture is ideal—it holds moisture well without getting waterlogged, which is great for delicate roots.My seedlings establish quickly in it, and plants I’m rehabbing bounce back faster than with other substrates I’ve tried. It’s easy to work with and feels like a premium product.If you’re looking for a versatile growing medium that’s great for starting new plants or giving struggling ones a second chance, Fluval Stratum is definitely worth it.

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  3. Amazon Customer

    Great for aquatic plant health and growth
    Love this stuff. I have bought several types of substrate for my aquarium but I this brand has been the best regarding the health and growth of my aquatic plants. The only downside is that this substrate will turn your water dark for a few days, but it will get clear eventually.

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  4. Jelleesi

    So glad I went with this product.
    Yes, it is expensive but I think it’s one of the highest quality substrates I have ever bought. I have had aquariums on and off for 30 yrs I have also built vivariums… this has to be the best substrate I have ever seen straight out of the bag. You can tell it is high quality volcanic soil which is outstanding for any plant life. It is very smooth and silky when you touch it. Just give a quick rinse and then use for whatever project. If you are building a planted tank, the water will be cloudy for longer than most people would like. I put my tank filter on high and let it run for the whole day like that and kept rinsing off the filter every few hours. On day two it is much more clear but a little cloudy as the biolayers need to still build up. Can’t wait to see how much this improves my new plants.

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  5. Buzzy

    Set good expectations
    I am a newbie. Not sure why, but I expected this to be a pretty dense volvanic granule. It’s not. I rinsed it a few times and it still stirred up a pretty cloudy sediment. After at least a day of running the filter, the water cleared up and it looks good. So expect some prep time for the substrate – a day or two – before you will have an environment for live fish. I am confident the greenery I have added will survivie beautifully from the other reviews I see from others. Bottom line, give it some time; clean filter often to get the water cleared.

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  6. rebelyell80

    Happy shrimp
    Worked well to start a shrimp breeding tank. The material is fine and fills where you need it without worry of damaging anything. The material goes with anything as far as color, and even worked to boost my nearby plants. Decent enough price here to buy if you want to try it.

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  7. Amber

    Great product
    My planted seeds are thriving in this soil! I had to go back and order a few more packs because of how great it is. It’s a small pack so if you have a large tank then go ahead and do your self a favor and order a few the first time so you won’t have to wait on more to come to plant more seeds.

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  8. Dr. Andrew

    Fast propagation growth and clean substrate!
    As a full disclosure and context, im not using this in an aquarium but as a substrate for propagating plants. I’d tried soil prop, water prop, and lecca before but I’ll be honest, this works better than all of them. I see each of my plants developing healthy root systems within a week or two after setting them in the substrate. Otherwise I’ve just added water, and a little fertilizer if they go for two long. A bit more detail:Pros:Clean, easy, seems to avoid some of the problems I had with lecca on growth of algae. Overall it also seems like im using less water, probably because the granules pack in tighter. Works well for propping with mason jars, old jam containers, etc. Fast propagation and good root growth.Cons:Rough to clean up sometimes, depending on if it gets onto the floor. When dry it has a tendency to break up when friction is applied, so I’ve had some smear on the floors when it gets loose. Would recommend using a repotting mat or small tarp to help mitigate the clean up. Overall, still highly recommend.

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  9. Terry

    E’ un substrato di origine vulcanica fantastico per recuperare piante sofferenti e soprattutto far radicare le talee.Essendo nero, consiglio vasetti trasparenti con o senza drenaggio per controllare la crescita delle radici e non sciacquatelo perchè le palline si sfalderebbero.Io preferisco mettere una base di palline di argilla e poi sopra solo Fluval. Le piantine crescono e radicano molto bene.Dopo pochi mesi si deteriora e diventa fangoso, quindi le piante vanno messe in terra o negli inerti in semi-idroponica come faccio io. Lo adoro !

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  10. sylvie

    👍👌

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  11. PITENZ

    Este sustrato de Fluval ha sido una gran elección para mi acuario. Tiene una textura y composición ideales para el crecimiento saludable de plantas acuáticas, y además es perfecto para gambas, ya que proporciona un entorno natural y rico en minerales.Desde que lo uso, he notado una mejora en el desarrollo de las raíces y en la vitalidad de las plantas. También ayuda a mantener la calidad del agua estable, lo cual es fundamental para los invertebrados.Pocos peros se le pueden poner: cumple con lo que promete y se nota que es un producto de calidad. La presentación en 2 kg es adecuada para acuarios pequeños o medianos.Muy recomendable para quienes buscan un sustrato nutritivo y fiable para acuarios plantados o con gambas.

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  12. Amazon Customer

    Perfect for plant tissue culture acclimatization

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  13. Aditya

    Plants are doing great with no problem what so ever, but I found it’s little bit light in water with makes little difficult to hold plants down.

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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

    Original price was: $17.99.Current price is: $15.28.

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