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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 Thursday, Nov 13
Order within 19 hours and 35 minutes
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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: #3,574 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #3 in Aquarium Gravel


#3 in Aquarium Gravel:


Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,717 ratings


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: 20 x 11 x 3 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: Thursday, Nov 13

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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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Good soil for growing aquatic plants!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
I only had the base, recommended by the fish store. But my plants started to grow more with this soil on top of the base and CO2. I did a deep research on the internet and found this product. pros: Works great if you want to grow aquatic plants in the fish tank. cons: The particle is very small, so the water gets muddy if you touch it too much. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2025 by Sunny Sunny

  • Great product.
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Excellent product for a planted tank. Provides essential minerals for plants. Easy to use, doesn’t weight much. Easy to clean with a siphon cleaner. Great value for the money.
Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2025 by Alex Kenobi

  • Works great
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
The media could not be loaded. Good substrat! plants growing big roots. added sand on top of it
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2025 by William Rojas

  • Really good aquarium soil
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
This is top of the line aquarium soil, it does help grass and plants grow faster and healthier. On just 1 month my aquarium looks like it needs trimming already
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2025 by Great Shopper Great Shopper

  • It's the best for a reason
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
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

  • Great bio substrate for your tank
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
This is great for planting and is very nice in the tank. If you pour your water in slowly, you do not have to worry about it dusting up and making your tank appear dirty, but I suggest not washing it as that can eliminate the bacteria that makes this product so expensive. Additionally it can affect the ammonia in your tank so be sure to cycle thoroughly. Value for money: Good quality and worth the price Design: Gorgeous in tank Ease of use: Easy to plant in. Plants stay put! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2025 by D. S. Griswold D. S. Griswold

  • Excellent option for aquarium base setup
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
This is excellent option to aquarium tank, less maintenance, use as directed on labels.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2025 by Surya Surya

  • High quality substrate for your plants and fish!!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
The media could not be loaded. 5 Gallon rimless setup came out absolutely perfect. I must’ve been one of the lucky ones, I didn’t experience any cloudy water just a little bit of debris that floated to the top. I cleaned that up with a net and continued to let the (conditioned) water cycle. It was almost instantaneously clear, but I am running a double hose setup that has a sponge filter connected as well as a bubble maker. It has valve knobs and I put both to middle setting to help with even gas exchange and plant life as well as the fish. Not too much not too little. And for my plants I inserted two tabs of “FLOURISH TABS” that’ll help the plants overtime. Couldn’t be happier and I hope the little guys are happy with their tank. I’d recommend this subrtrate no doubt, it’s going to benefit you and your friends in the tank very well. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 29, 2025 by JD JD

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