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Fluval

Fluval 12698 Natural Mineral-Rich Volcanic Soil Bio Stratum for Planted Tanks, 17.6 lbs. - Aquarium Substrate for Healthy Plant Development, Growth, and Color

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Availability: In Stock.
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Arrives Tuesday, Feb 3
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Color: Bio-Stratum


Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)


Features

  • Promotes Robust Plant Growth: This aquatic soil helps enrich plant development and fosters vigorous growth with vibrant coloration, ensuring your aquarium thrives with lush foliage
  • Activates Beneficial Water Conditions: Infused with dormant nitrifying organisms, our aqua soil activates upon contact with water, swiftly breaking down waste and initiating the nitrogen cycle for a balanced aquatic ecosystem
  • Stabilizes Water Conditions: Rapidly reducing ammonia levels, Fluval soil helps stabilize water conditions in new aquariums, ensuring a healthy environment for your aquatic inhabitants
  • Enhances Root Penetration: Featuring lightweight 1 mm powder granules, our non-compacting substrate allows delicate roots to effortlessly penetrate and spread, promoting optimal plant growth
  • Improves Water Quality: Porous granules facilitate extensive bacterial colonization, serving as an additional biological filtration source, while a potent blend of nutrients and minerals ensures improved water quality for your aquarium ecosystem

Description

Fluval Bio-Stratum features beneficial "bioactives" that efficiently break down waste, jumpstart the nitrogen cycle, and swiftly diminish ammonia levels, ensuring stable water conditions in new aquariums and sustaining health in established ones. Its fine powder granules serve as an extra biological filtration source, fostering enhanced water quality through their porous and non-compacting nature. Explore our range of fish tank accessories, including aquarium filters, filter media, heaters, air pumps, lights, rocks, thermometers, and stands. With a legacy dating back to 1975, Fluval revolutionized the aquarium industry with the world's first 3-stage filter utilizing synchronous motor technology—an innovation still influential today. Our commitment to innovation continues, as we persistently strive to develop cutting-edge aquarium products that set benchmarks in quality, style, and functionality. Fluval's mission transcends product creation; we aim to inspire aquarists of all levels to appreciate and uphold the hobby's beauty and importance for generations to come.

Brand: Fluval


Liquid Volume: 17.6 Liters


Item Weight: 17.6 Pounds


Item Form: Granules, Powder


Manufacturer: Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.


Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 16.93 x 12.6 x 0.2 inches; 17.6 Pounds


Item model number ‏ : ‎ 12698


Date First Available ‏ : ‎ April 13, 2022


Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.


Best Sellers Rank: #7,823 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #10 in Aquarium Gravel


#10 in Aquarium Gravel:


Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,013)


Item Weight: 17.6 pounds


Manufacturer: Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp.


Item model number: 12698


Date First Available: April 13, 2022


Item Package Dimensions L x W x H: 19.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches


Item Dimensions LxWxH: 16.93 x 12.6 x 0.2 inches


Item Weight: 17.6 Pounds


Brand Name: Fluval


Target Audience Keyword: Fish, fish


Directions: Follow individual packaging instructions.


Model Name: Fluval Bio Stratum 17.6lb


Color: Bio-Stratum


Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)


Age Range Description: All Life Stages


Number of Items: 1


Style: Substrate


Included Components: All items listed in description.


Specific Uses for Product: Indoor


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Tuesday, Feb 3

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

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

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Similar Products

Top Amazon Reviews

    • Great product and our aquatic plants love it
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
My aquarium plants are thriving and have grown out of the water. 0 plant feeds used, no added air and or carbon. They love this stuff and it’s a lot easier to use. Warning, DO NOT vigorously move these. I got a few long handled aquarium tools for plants and decorations etc., my algae eater doesn’t hurt the little beads of dirt. Great product ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2025 by James
    • Hoya babies love this stuff
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Great product for propagating hoya cuttings quickly and reliably. So far I've propped a dozen cuttings into this product and had no rot. As an experiment I propped two hoya cuttings from the same plant (hoya Walter Graves) into separate mediums - one in this fluval and the other in coco husk/coir. After one month the one in coco remained alive but had no roots, while the one in fluval had very strong, substantial, branching roots about 1/2" long. I replanted the stunted one into fluval and now that one is also thriving. Only cons are that it's a little messy, may stain light fabric and somewhat pricey. I've been mixing with perlite to stretch the product but given the cost of hoyas, this product is well worth the price. I'll definitely be buying more as needed. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2025 by Maybesomeday
    • Reliable results every time
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by Bee Bee
Review Image by Bee Bee
I have a few freshwater planted nano tanks, all 20 gallons or smaller, and I have used this or the Shrimp Stratum as the base substrate in every single one. As long as you do not stir it up too much, it keeps the water clear and does exactly what it is supposed to do. If you want to cap it with sand, you do not need to rinse it first. It will not turn the water brown unless it is handled incorrectly. Plants grow really well in it and when the nutrients eventually run out, which takes a long time, you can just add root tabs and keep the tank going for years. My tanks stay crystal clear and the plants look great. I recommend this to anyone who wants to keep live plants in their aquarium. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2025 by Bee Bee
    • Amazing for tissue culture plants
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by Kiran Saleem Kiran Saleem
Great quality fluval i have recieved . I am usong this to mix and setablish some tissue culture plants . It comes in great quantity.its worth the money. Its very easy to use without creating any mess like potting soil or other mixtures of plants . I highly recomend this who wants to propogate plants or cuttings. It also keeps plangs fungus free and very less chances to get thsm root rot. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2025 by Kiran Saleem Kiran Saleem
    • Excellent product not affecting water clarity
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
I was skeptical about using this as a substrate concerned about cloudiness in the water. This was so easy to use and looks great as I covered it with the gravel but still have the benefit of the mineral rich benefits and still have excellent water clarity. Excellent product that will be used in other tanks. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2025 by RT
    • Works as intended.
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
It works as intended as a aquasoil, its quite clear as I filled my tank despite the dusty warning. It is a nice pure black which is expected, and it a lot of soil then expected so worth the money. I haven't cleaned it yet, but I'll maybe make edit after I clean it. Only 4 stars because I haven't added my plants or have done a clean of it yet. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 1, 2026 by Mike Waros
    • Plants love it!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by KettleCaress KettleCaress
Review Image by KettleCaress KettleCaress
Seems like it’s working well. Placed it in 12 different media bags and placed shale on top. Plants after about a week and a half have started growing and growing into the bags. The plants seem to love it! Just lightly rinse. Heavy rinsing will destroy what you’re trying to do. There are several vids online of how to do it. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2025 by KettleCaress KettleCaress
    • It's the best for a reason
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by Joseph Stegemeyer Joseph Stegemeyer
I set up a 45 gallon and decided to bight the bullet and use this. I wanted a heavily planted tank and all the websites said this was the way to go. Here are the pro's and con's as I see it: Pro's: It's ability to hold onto nutrients is well documented and I have had good luck with my plants I had hoped. The dark color is a personal preference, but it makes the colors deeper on a lot of fish species like my peacock gudgeon, for instance. Cons: It's relatively fine and it can be harder to plant rooted plants in it - they seem to want to float out more then some other substrates. It also seems to want to "settle" or "run downhill". If you mess with a plant, for example, on the side of a sloped area, the substrate will kind of want to flow down the slope. Also, even after rinsing before I put it in, it is kind of "dusty" when disturbed. Overall, I like it and think the biological benefits far outweigh the negatives and it has been great for me. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2025 by Joseph Stegemeyer Joseph Stegemeyer

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