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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

  • Based on 1,826 reviews
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Availability: Only 7 left in stock, order soon!
Fulfilled by Kens Fish

Arrives Jan 16 – Jan 22
Order within 6 hours and 26 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: #3,505 in Pet Supplies (See Top 100 in Pet Supplies) #2 in Aquarium Gravel


#2 in Aquarium Gravel:


Customer Reviews: 4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 1,826 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: 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: Jan 16 – Jan 22

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


  • 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

  • Keeps plants thriving
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Doing great at keeping my plants alive and thriving. Just make sure to avoid putting this soil under heavy objects such as rocks or driftwood as it can begin to compact, I'd recommend filling with sand or gravel under decorations and natural driftwood and rocks. Other than that, great aqua soil.
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2025 by Adrian

  • Amazing for tissue culture plants
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 4.4 Pound (Pack of 1)
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

  • Really good for planters
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
This eradicated gnats from my plants and they have been thriving ever since with lots of new growth especially my orchids root systems!
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2025 by Seadunes87 Seadunes87

  • Perfect, but melts as expected so better to top it off with sand.
Color: Bio-Stratum Size: 8.8 Pound (Pack of 1)
Perfect for fish tanks, plants are doing well. Thought it will melt so better to top it off with substrate.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2025 by dads songs

  • 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

  • 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. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2025 by Bee Bee

  • 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

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