---
product_id: 61740919
title: "Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg"
brand: "fluval"
price: "€ 44.98"
currency: EUR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
category: "Fluval"
url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61740919-fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-4
store_origin: HR
region: Croatia
---

# Mineral-rich volcanic soil Shrimp-safe refuge zones Porous for beneficial bacteria Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg

**Brand:** fluval
**Price:** € 44.98
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🌿 Elevate your planted tank game with nature’s volcanic secret!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg by fluval
- **How much does it cost?** € 44.98 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/61740919-fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-4)

## Best For

- fluval enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted fluval brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Shrimp’s Safe Haven:** Provides newborn shrimp a natural refuge from predators—grow your ecosystem with confidence.
- • **No Water Discoloration:** Keeps your aquarium water pristine, even with natural driftwood present.
- • **Bacteria-Friendly Porosity:** Porous granules accelerate beneficial nitrifying bacteria colonization for crystal-clear water.
- • **Volcanic Mineral Powerhouse:** Harness nutrient-rich volcanic soil for unstoppable plant growth.
- • **pH Perfected for Planted Tanks:** Maintains neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for tropical plants, fish, and shrimp.

## Overview

Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum is a 4 kg lightweight, porous substrate made from mineral-rich volcanic soil designed to boost aquatic plant growth and support shrimp safety. It promotes a neutral to slightly acidic pH ideal for tropical plants and fish, encourages beneficial bacteria colonization for optimal water quality, and prevents water discoloration even with natural driftwood. Perfect for serious aquarists aiming for lush, healthy planted tanks.

## Description

From the manufacturer Fluval Stratum How much should I use? < 45 cm = 1 x 2 kg Fluval Stratum 45 cm = 1 x 4 kg Fluval Stratum 60 cm = 1 x 8 kg Fluval Stratum 90 cm = 1 x 8 + 4 kg Fluval Stratum Stratum for plant and shrimp aquariums Fluval Stratum is the ideal substrate to stimulate the growth of aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums. The plant roots easily penetrate the substrate and spread there. The plants receive many different important nutrients and can thrive magnificently. Volcanic soil rich in minerals Stimulates strong plant growth Promotes a natural to slightly acidic pH value For plants or shrimps Recommended depth: 3-4 cm Available in 2kg, 4kg and 8kg Fluval Stratum comes from the mineral-rich hills landscape of a famous volcano in Japan. The addition of Fluval micronutrients to plants ensures that all important macro and micronutrients are available. The lightweight, porous structure of the substrate, which does not compact, is also extremely beneficial to beneficial bacteria that can quickly settle on the large, porous surface. This ensures optimal water quality for plants. The properties of the Fluval Stratum help promote a neutral to slightly acidic pH. This is ideal for most plant and tropical fish species or shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums. Furthermore, the Stratum offers newborn shrimp the ideal retreat so that they can hide from predators until they are large enough. This highly attractive substrate does not discolour the water and helps to control organic discolouration normally occur when natural driftwood is used.

Review: Trusted Substrate for Healthy Planted Tanks - This is the only brand I trust when it comes to setting up a planted tank. My plants have been growing really well, even after a few months submerged—the nutrients are clearly still there and doing their job. I’m currently running three planted tanks using this, and the results have been consistently great across all of them. Perfect for both plants and shrimp, and overall very reliable. Highly recommended for anyone serious about planted tanks!
Review: Excellent Quality Substrate - 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.

## Features

- Encourages strong plant growth - roots easily penetrate and spread throughout substrate to obtain key nutrients
- Porous structure allows for rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria
- Helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH - ideal for most plants, tropical fish and shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums
- Provides newborn shrimp with a refuge from predators until they are large enough to emerge
- Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration when natural driftwood is present
- Note Please be aware that air bubbles being released when first submerged is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. The bubbles is just normal air being released from the porous surface of the product. Only pockets of gas that have built up over time, due to decomposition are of concern, due to the type of gas.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B00JMABYUO |
| Allergen Information | Nut Free |
| Best Sellers Rank | 1,187 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) 2 in Aquarium Gravel |
| Brand | Fluval |
| Brand Name | Fluval |
| Country Of Origin | China |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 17,373 Reviews |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00015561126946 |
| Item Form | Granules |
| Item Type Name | Plant & Shrimp Stratum aquarium planting substrate |
| Item Weight | 4 Kilograms |
| Item form | Granules |
| Item weight | 4 Kilograms |
| Manufacturer | Rolf C Hagen UK Ltd |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 12694 |
| Model Number | 12694 |
| Number of Packs | 1 |
| Pet Type | Fish |
| Target Species | Fish, Shrimp |
| UPC | 015561126946 |
| Unit Count | 1.0 count |
| Unit count | 1.0 count |

## Product Details

- **Brand:** Fluval
- **Item form:** Granules
- **Item weight:** 4 Kilograms
- **Number of Packs:** 1
- **Unit count:** 1.0 count

## Images

![Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61xuz5C1O9L.jpg)
![Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91GSBYpMhqL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91AeSdeomVL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91+6ib5KBCL.jpg)
![Fluval Plant & Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 4 kg - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RH-snQjNL.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Color, Size** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What colour is it?**
A: Black (dark!)

**Q: How many bags for a 250 lilters fish tank**
A: It depends if you want a well planted fish tank ,one bag will spread and give approx 1\8" or just less cover which isn't really enough to allow plants to root although some will it you also use gravel. I used 2 bags in my 250 litre tank plus gravel and my plants have rooted well and are quite stable

**Q: How many Kilos would be needed for a Triton 350 corner aquarium. (350 lts)**
A: My Fluval Flex 57l (39cm x 39cm or 15" x15" base) took one 8kg bag and covered it to a  depth of 5-6cm. Hope that gives you an idea.

**Q: Would this be ok with cory catfish?**
A: Yes, fine with cory catfish. I have ten plus adult peppered cories and they are breeding constantly with eight babies now nearing adulthood.

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted Substrate for Healthy Planted Tanks
*by B***G on 1 April 2026*

This is the only brand I trust when it comes to setting up a planted tank. My plants have been growing really well, even after a few months submerged—the nutrients are clearly still there and doing their job. I’m currently running three planted tanks using this, and the results have been consistently great across all of them. Perfect for both plants and shrimp, and overall very reliable. Highly recommended for anyone serious about planted tanks!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Quality Substrate
*by D***N on 23 July 2020*

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.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Great quality
*by D***M on 6 May 2026*

Really great quality stuff, light enough for the bottom dwellers to have a bit of a dig though but also hold plants in nicely too without needing weights. Does still murk up the waters even after rinsing first but clears after a day or so.

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*Product available on Desertcart Croatia*
*Store origin: HR*
*Last updated: 2026-06-24*