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Availability:
In Stock.
Arrives
Nov 21 – Nov 26
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At a glance
- Condition
- New
- Color
- Bio-Stratum
- Size
- 17.6 lb (Pack of 1)
- Dimensions
- 16.93 x 12.6 x 0.2 in; 17.6 lb
- Weight
- 17.6 lb
- Liquid Volume
- 17.6 liters
- Item Form
- Granules, Powder
- In the box
- All items listed in description.
Features 5
- 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.
Specs 18
| Brand | Fluval |
|---|---|
| Liquid Volume | 17.6 liters |
| Item Weight | 17.6 pounds |
| Item Form | Granules, Powder |
| Unit Count | 281.6 Ounce |
| Product Dimensions | 16.93 x 12.6 x 0.2 inches; 17.6 pounds |
| Item model number | 12698 |
| Manufacturer | Rolf C. Hagen (USA) Corp. |
| Brand Name | Fluval |
| UPC | 015561126984 |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Item Highlight | Natural Mineral-Rich, Aquarium Substrate for Healthy Plant Development, Growth, and Color |
| Item Type Name | Aquarium Substrate Gravel |
| Model Number | 12698 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 12698 |
| Pet Type | Fish |
| Target Species | Fish, Shrimp |
| Allergen Information | Allergen-Free |
No specs match.
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Nov 21 – Nov 26
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.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
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Top Amazon Reviews
Plants love it!
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Great! Plants are all growing beautiful and big. Covered the bottom of my 30 gallon tank with about 1in deep
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2026 by Emily Simantel
Good substrate for plants
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
This substrate has worked well for my 20 and 75 gallon planted tanks. It is easy to plant in, yet holds the plants well. The roots produced are white and healthy when seen running along the tank or if the plant is transplanted. It is also attractive and soft enough for corydora species. I like the fact it has a nutrient base although I also dose dry ferts for the water column and it does not seem to impact ph or water chemistry in a big way.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2026 by gerry durand
Reliable results every time
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
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.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2025 by Bee
Nice substrate for your plants. Fine particles give secure base.
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Provides a good substrate for plants. The pellet size is a small and fine size to easily pack while providing a stable base.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2026 by Cliff Schroeder
exactly what i needed
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
i bought this for my pinguicula bowl and i’m so excited to see how it does with my pings. it def make my pingdom look prettier than just the soil on top lol. i will also def be using it for my other plants like i see on my social media’s haha. i will say it’s def dusty so idk if you prefer to wash it off first or not but it leaves lots of black dust on your sink/hands/area. but so far it looks pretty good at draining the water too.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026 by Sam :)
Handle it ease and its a great substrate
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Grabbed two bags for a new planted tank good amount per bag but if you think "ill need X bags" get 1 more just in case. 1 and 3/4 bags went into 20 gallon for a good 1.5 inchs of substrate and had a little left over. As as other have mentioned, if you are rough with this i can get cloudy or break up so handle it easy, dont pour from top of tank, place bag in tank slice it open and slide it out on the floor of the aquarium. I placed a plastic plate and poured my fill water on that to minimize substrate disruption. Fine particles cant be eliminated so go slow and easy to minimize, mine cleared up in about two hrs. Had a little left from second bag and tossed that in small betta tank to keep some extra plants alive, thats when i saw what some folks were saying about the fines. Used same process as my bigger tank but it was like chocolate milk. I continued to try and slowly exchange water to get the fines out but there was no saving it after 45 minutes of rinse and repeat literally, I said to hell with it and ended up tossing it in the trash because it was just too frustrating overall in the larger tank with the new plants that I've purchased they're already developing roots and starting to spread out into the strata a good clear indication that the plants are happy with their new home. When you do your maintenance procedure minimize how much you stir and disturb the strata you will get some minor and I do stress minor clouds in the localized area but that clears up within minutes.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2025 by urabus040
Great for keeping aquatic plants alive
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
This stuff has kept my plants going for almost a year now. It does cloud the water at first, but it eventually settles and clears up. It was a better price on here than at the pet store and the bag was big enough for me to aqua scape two micro tanks.
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2026 by Daniel Seiffert
Amazing!
Color: Bio-Stratum
Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
Amazing! It blows around pretty easy, but I put a layer of larger gravel on it and my plants have been thriving! Didn’t affect the water color/quality almost at all :) And yes, I know I need to clean my tank LOL
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2026 by Hiro Wilde