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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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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: #5,343 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #9 in Aquarium Gravel


#9 in Aquarium Gravel:


Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,139)


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 x 10.75 x 3.5 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: Apr 7 – May 12

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

    • Great for planted tanks!
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 17.6 Pound (Pack of 1)
Love this stuff. We use it for all our tanks. Helps our plants grow beautifully. The color and look of it makes the plants pop.
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2026 by Lori L.
    • Just Spend the Extra Money and Buy It
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by Bill & Ellie Bill & Ellie
The best substrate on the market— it’s important to gently* rinse the soil pebbles to avoid the cloudiness thst takes an extra few days to filter, and small puffs of dirt will pop up during shifting for plants— the value for the money is great— pay a little extra of the red bag. It also boosts the water quality. Effective and effortless in growing plants! The picture show is not my tank, but the perfect representation. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 22, 2026 by Bill & Ellie Bill & Ellie
    • 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
    • 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
    • Good Imfor plants
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
I added it wrong but so far my plants already got greener and less dead and very happy I kinda don’t like how easy it is to make it “cloudy”
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2026 by Maddie Dobrich
    • Great bio substrate for your tank
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by D. S. Griswold D. S. Griswold
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
    • Fragile particle structure necessitates easy handling
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
We bought this medium on the author's recommendation, Linsay Sisti, in her book "The Ultimate Guide to Houseplant Propagation". We intended to use this medium to propagate some of our indoor tropical plants. While it is too early to offer definitive results, it is apparent that the propagules are accepting the medium as they root. The brown color of the granules is pleasing, and so far, there is no odor. Three varieties of Chlorophytum are now propagating in Fluval 12697 and are progressing nicely, showing no sign of disease. Please note that Chlorophytum (Spider Plant) is very easy to propagate. We have noted that the new roots are nearly reaching the bottom of the container, while the crowns look very healthy. Nothing propagated requires a pH adjustment, and in several instances, the container medium is one-third filled with water to encourage rooting, as Sisti suggests for using a Fluval stratum. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2026 by Gary J. Figueroa
    • High quality aquarium plant substrate
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Review Image by Cadygirlz Cadygirlz
I've used the fluval stratum for house plants and rooting corms for years, and I just started up my aquarium so knew I trusted this brand. I chose the bio stratum for my tank over the stratum and my water is crystal clear and mr plants are loving it. I did cap with course sand and love how this looks. I highly recommend this brand. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2026 by Cadygirlz Cadygirlz

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