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Fluval 12695 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 17.6 lbs.

Based on 18,580 reviews
Condition: New
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$32.90
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Arrives Wednesday, Nov 11
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At a glance

Condition
New
Color
Stratum
Size
17.6 lb (Pack of 1)
Dimensions
4.5 x 12 x 19 in; 17.8 lb
Weight
8.07 kg
Item Form
Granules
Item Type Name
HAGEN PLANT&SHRIMP STRATUM 8KG
In the box
All Items listed in Description
Warranty
Manufacturer warranty.

Features 5

  • 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
  • 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

Description

Fluval Stratum is the ideal aquarium substrate for stimulating the growth of aquatic plants in freshwater aquariums. Plant roots easily penetrate and spread throughout the substrate, allowing live aquarium plants to obtain a variety of key, readily available nutrients that will make them flourish. The addition of Fluval Plant Micronutrients will ensure a full complement of essential macro and micro. The substrate's light, non-compacting, porous structure is also highly beneficial to nitrifying bacteria, which rapidly colonize the vast porous surface, providing optimal aquarium water quality for real plants. 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 new aquarium shrimp with the ideal refuge, allowing them to escape predation until they are large enough to emerge into the shrimp tank. This highly attractive substrate will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration usually present when natural driftwood aquarium décor is used. For more fish tank accessories check out the other Fluval products including Fluval aquariums, aquarium filters, filter media, aquarium heaters, aquarium air pumps, aquarium lights, fake plants, aquarium thermometer, fish food, aquarium gravel, planted aquarium tools, fish tank decorations and aquarium stands. Fluval has a wide variety of products that are perfect for your pet fish, shrimp, or betta fish to enjoy in any large fish tank, small fish tank, freshwater tank or in a saltwater tank. The Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is the perfect substrate for planted aquariums and is available in multiple sizes; available as a 4.4 lb. bag, an 8.8 lb. bag and a 17.6 lb. bag.

Specs 20

Brand Fluval
Item Weight 8.07 kg
Item Form Granules
Number of Packs 1
Unit Count 281.6 Ounce
Product Dimensions 4.5 x 12 x 19 inches; 17.8 pounds
Manufacturer recommended age 1 month and up
Item model number 12695

Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Wednesday, Nov 11

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

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View our full returns policy here.

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Top Amazon Reviews


Great product, great price
Color: Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Pros: • There’s no other product which plants like more than this • Great price, especially compared to pet stores • No odor, fish like it, it looks good and natural, and the water stays clear after installment Cons: • It can be challenging to install, here’s what I recommend. Wash it lightly only once, and pour it into aquarium. Put a piece of aluminum foil over it, and slowly fill aquarium with water. Move the water around a bit (enough to disturb the surface of the substrate, but not the deeper layer), it will get brown, then remove the water. This will ensure that all small particles on the surface layer are removed. Put the piece of aluminum foil over the substrate again and fill. The water will be slightly cloudy, but after about a day with a filter it will clear. Be especially careful if you notice any brown in the water, because if it falls on plant leaves it will encourage algae growth Overall, a great product. This is the best product for growing aquarium plants, if set up correctly, it will make growing plants easy ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 27, 2026 by Lazaro

Water does get clearer by the day once set up
Color: Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
*** Update Week 2. I wanted to share the progress of use of fluval shrimp stratum. As week by week went on water is crystal clear. You may want to add two bags if you want plants since the pellets are so light my plants wouldn’t stay in the stratum. They would float right up to surface of water. Any time you add landscape the pellets will give off a dust or float. Don’t be alarmed, the dust settles back down quickly. So instead of getting another bag, I used plant anchors. They seem to be happy with plant anchors thus far. My PH was a bit high so I had to correct that before adding any fish. So it’s ready to add fish now and I can’t wait. I think it looks great with the landscape. I’m not done with my landscaping I still have the other corner to work. I have a couple of itty bitty baby tetra neons in there you can’t see them. They’re hiding, but if you make a little well in the pellets they like to hide in it. They don’t seem bothered by the stratum at all. I highly recommend this stuff, but best I to get two bags of whatever size you get, to get about 3 inches so your roots to plants will take to it easier is very light weight. Or do plant anchors. I bought this with the anticipation to set my tank up as a planted fresh water aquarium. Live plants apparently love this stuff and that it’s a good substrate for shrimp if you want to have any. Many reviews have complaints about cloudiness of water. I did this as a whole new tank setting up. I don’t recommend if you have fish already in yours. You treat it like you’re setting up a new one laying your landscape in, Anyway, I didn’t pre rinse. I don’t feel it’s necessary it only just makes the pellets soggy. The first day yes water will appear black and muddy. Let your filter do the work!! You may have to change your bio max bag out to a new one it does work. I have to get a new bio max filter since it worked hard to get this water cleared up since set up. First day, dark, black cloud. I even thought did I mess it it up? I should have taken a picture to show comparison and I forgot. Don’t be impatient or think you did something wrong. Just be patient let your filter do the work!! 5 hours later, a light cloudiness. I Next day, crystal clear water. You need patience for this! It’s not immediate. It may take anywhere from 6 hours-48 hours. It took 48 hours for mine to clear up. I need to clean off outside of my tank glass. I didn’t use the lay the bag over the pellets with a small bowl to fill tank with water method. I did just straight in with water pouring very slowly and softly. Water will fizz at first and it’s normal. And then I added the necessary water treatments to make it safe for fish for tap water, since I used tap water. Now I can’t wait until I set up the rest of my landscaping and add fish. I’ll post updates on when it’s done being set up. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2022 by Amazon Customer

A Great Choice for a Planted Aquarium
Color: Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
I knew this substrate was good because I had already seen many recommendations, so I decided to buy it for my 10-gallon aquarium. So far, it has been a great success with my plants. I like how it looks in the aquarium, and I have noticed that my plants have adapted well. I’m happy with this purchase and would choose it again. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2026 by Yudianys Freire

Such a good aquatic
Color: Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
This is a great product. The black makes the plants pop and looks great. It provides the perfect nutrients to keep plants healthy and grow. It does take overnight to settle after filling with water and it can make the water brown and cloudy if you mess around with it a lot. The cheapest I’ve ever gotten it as well ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2026 by Christina Rogers

Must have for planted tanks or tissue culture plants!
Color: Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
Wish I had known about this stuff when I was starting out with planted tanks. I have 12 tanks and 2 ponds, all with live tanks plants. I didn’t use Stratum until I set up like my 6th tank…. The difference was so glaring that I have gone through the trouble to replace the substrate in all but 2 of my tanks (working on the last two!). Replacing substrate is a huge hassle, so that tells you what a difference this makes. I use Stratum first, on the bottom later. I use Black Diamond blasting sand on top for depth and appearance, and I top off with a thin layer of black aquarium Galaxy sand because I love the shimmer. This is just my personal preference, but it’s been my method for quite a while now. The plants absolutely boom with Stratum and root heavily. I also just got into tissue culture plants and have been recommended to acclimatize them with 90% perlite and 10% Stratum, so bonus, because I already have that on hand! I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to use Stratum on terrestrial plants, but I am so excited, because I have seen how well it works on aquatic plants. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2026 by Julie Adams

Cheap but quality
Color: Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
I bought this freshwater substrate for my aquarium setup and I’m really happy with it so far. It instantly improved the look of my tank and gave it that natural, clean “riverbed” feel I was going for. It was easy to rinse and didn’t cloud the water too badly once I set it up properly. My plants also seem to be doing better since using it, and everything feels more stable and natural for the fish. The texture is nice not too sharp, not too fine and it spreads evenly across the tank, which made aquascaping a lot easier than I expected. It really upgraded the overall appearance of my aquarium and made it look more professional. Overall, I’m very satisfied with this substrate and would definitely recommend it to anyone setting up a freshwater tank or upgrading their aquascape. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2026 by Sheela mae cuevas

Perfect Soil for Planted Tank. Don't Pre-Rinse
Color: Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
This stuff is great, little pricey but you get what you pay for. I thought it would be messy but the small balls hold up well provided you don't crush them. Shrimp and fish health are not affected by it and boy does it look good in the tank. Plants love it and fish prefer it, especially when compared to bright gravels... The 1st picture was when I first started the tank with the soil and 2nd pic is 3 months later. I've had other tanks with sand/gravel...this soil makes a difference! Big tip: Place a small lid or use a paper towel to block water flow when initially filling up your tank. Minimize your splashing. Also I highly suggest you DO NOT pre-rinse this soil. I know the directions say so but don't do it. Big mess and unnecessary. As long as you don't pour big buckets of water on the soil your tank will clear up quickly. If you are going for a natural planted tank this is your soil. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2025 by Jeffrey K.

Perfect for shrimp tanks and planted aquariums
Color: Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
This substrate has been amazing for my shrimp tank. My shrimp are breeding like crazy and my aquatic plants are growing really well too. The tank looks healthy and stable, and the substrate gives it a nice natural appearance. It was easy to work with and didn’t cause any issues in my setup. Definitely worth it if you’re building a planted shrimp tank. Highly recommend! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2026 by Alicia K
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