--- product_id: 71340058 title: "Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 8 kg" brand: "fluval" price: "224917CFA" currency: XOF in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 category: "Fluval" url: https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71340058-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-8-kg store_origin: SN region: Senegal --- # 8 kg nutrient-rich granules Shrimp-safe refuge zones Porous for nitrifying bacteria Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 8 kg **Brand:** fluval **Price:** 224917CFA **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Summary > 🌿 Elevate your planted aquarium game with Fluval’s powerhouse substrate! ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 8 kg by fluval - **How much does it cost?** 224917CFA with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.sn](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71340058-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-8-kg) ## Best For - fluval enthusiasts ## Why This Product - Trusted fluval brand quality - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Key Features - • **Shrimp Sanctuary:** Provides newborn shrimp a safe haven from predators until maturity. - • **pH Perfect Balance:** Supports neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for tropical plants and shrimp. - • **Crystal Clear Waters:** Prevents water discoloration and controls organic staining from driftwood. - • **Root-Ready Growth Boost:** Encourages deep root penetration for lush, thriving plants. - • **Bacteria-Friendly Porosity:** Porous structure accelerates beneficial nitrifying bacteria colonization. ## Overview Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is an 8 kg brown granular substrate designed to promote vigorous plant root growth and provide a safe habitat for newborn shrimp. Its porous composition supports rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria, maintaining a stable neutral to slightly acidic pH ideal for tropical plants and shrimp. This substrate also prevents water discoloration, ensuring a crystal-clear aquatic environment. ## Description Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 8 kg | Aquarium Substrate for Planted Aquariums at desertcart UK. Review: Excellent Quality Substrate - While I am still fairly new to the aquarium hobby, I have become somewhat addicted, as appears to be common among our community! Something to note in advance that although you may have read that this Substrate does not leech ammonia, it does appear leech a small amount; enough to stress Shrimp, but probably not enough to bother most fish. I was recording about 0.5 on my Test kit, and I had not added any Ammonia myself at that point just yet. You must cycle your aquarium properly with this substrate. I have used a few types of substrate in my tanks, including cheap potting soil in a "Walstad" style tank. The Fluval Stratum Substrate is my favourite insofar for planted aquariums. This substrate is very light and my plants rooted through it quickly with apparent ease. I would recommend using some aqua-scaping tweezers to plant with, as I feel you would struggle using your fingertips due to how light it is; though, most hobbyists will have already invested in these sorts of tools. I was able to plant dwarf hairgrass in blades of 6-12 across the entire tank without any uprooting. It is nutrient dense are all growing healthily at a rate I am pleased with, even without the use of liquid Co2, or any fertilisers. I did not wash the soil as some other substrates recommend, but my water is still crystal clear! Though, I recommend covering the floor of the aquarium a plastic bag and filling the tank slowly to prevent disturbance, which helps prevent any initial cloudiness and reduces the chance of your newly-planted plants uprooting. This substrate is quite pricey but in my opinion for a hobbyist looking to create a densely planted tank it is worth every penny. Note: I would not recommend using this substrate for fish that like to poke around the substrate, such as goldfish; nor would I recommend it for snails, as they may uproot your plants. It's perfect for shrimp aquariums, and excellent for other fish which don't dig as much, such as Bettas. Review: Only substrate you need for live plants - Recently I decided to buy a 300l tank and desperately needed new substrate to fill it. Being a live plant girly, I knew I was going to buy this for the bottom. Pros: •This substrate is literally the best one you can get for plant health/growth. Plants will thrive in this and form the most intricate roots all around it so you know it’s doing its job! •Helps keep my slightly higher water pH neutral which keeps my tank and its inhabitants happy. •Safe for all delicate invertebrates and fish! Cons: •Don’t ever try washing this because it will just form mud! It’s impossible to wash which in turn causes some unfavorable stuff in your tank (but a good filter will fix it no problem!) •Adding to above, putting in without washing causes your tank to go a horribly cloudy color with some bits floating on top that need to be removed with a net. Rather unsightly but easily fixed. Overall, I wouldn’t ever buy another substrate for my tank because it doesn’t get much better than this. My plants all thrive and it keeps my tank healthy. Would definitely recommend! ## Features - Encourages strong plant growth - roots easily penetrate and spread throughout substrate to obtain key nutrients - Porous structure allows for rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria - Helps support neutral to slightly acidic pH - ideal for most plants, tropical fish and shrimp normally kept in planted aquariums - Provides newborn shrimp with a refuge from predators until they are large enough to emerge - Will not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration when natural driftwood is present ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | ASIN | B00JMA9S52 | | Best Sellers Rank | 1,197 in Pet Supplies ( See Top 100 in Pet Supplies ) 1 in Aquarium Gravel | | Brand | Fluval | | Brand Name | Fluval | | Country Of Origin | China | | Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 17,835 Reviews | | Global Trade Identification Number | 00015561126953 | | Included Components | 1 x bag of Fluval stratum substrate 8 kg | | Item Form | Granules | | Item Type Name | Plant & Shrimp Stratum aquarium planting substrate | | Item Weight | 8.07 Kilograms | | Item form | Granules | | Item weight | 8.07 Kilograms | | Manufacturer | Rolf C Hagen UK Ltd | | Manufacturer Part Number | 12695 | | Model Number | 12695 | | Number of Items | 1 | | Number of Packs | 1 | | Pet Type | Fish | | Target Species | Shrimp | | UPC | 015561126953 | | Unit Count | 8000.0 gram | | Unit count | 8000.0 gram | ## Product Details - **Brand:** Fluval - **Item form:** Granules - **Item weight:** 8.07 Kilograms - **Number of Packs:** 1 - **Unit count:** 8000.0 gram ## Images ![Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Planting Substrate, Brown, 8 kg - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71glBJWuJ7L.jpg) ## Available Options This product comes in different **Color, Size** options. ## Questions & Answers **Q: What colour is it?** A: Black (dark!) **Q: How many bags for a 250 lilters fish tank** A: It depends if you want a well planted fish tank ,one bag will spread and give approx 1\8" or just less cover which isn't really enough to allow plants to root although some will it you also use gravel. I used 2 bags in my 250 litre tank plus gravel and my plants have rooted well and are quite stable **Q: How many Kilos would be needed for a Triton 350 corner aquarium. (350 lts)** A: My Fluval Flex 57l (39cm x 39cm or 15" x15" base) took one 8kg bag and covered it to a depth of 5-6cm. Hope that gives you an idea. **Q: Would this be ok with cory catfish?** A: Yes, fine with cory catfish. I have ten plus adult peppered cories and they are breeding constantly with eight babies now nearing adulthood. ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent Quality Substrate *by D***N on 23 July 2020* While I am still fairly new to the aquarium hobby, I have become somewhat addicted, as appears to be common among our community! Something to note in advance that although you may have read that this Substrate does not leech ammonia, it does appear leech a small amount; enough to stress Shrimp, but probably not enough to bother most fish. I was recording about 0.5 on my Test kit, and I had not added any Ammonia myself at that point just yet. You must cycle your aquarium properly with this substrate. I have used a few types of substrate in my tanks, including cheap potting soil in a "Walstad" style tank. The Fluval Stratum Substrate is my favourite insofar for planted aquariums. This substrate is very light and my plants rooted through it quickly with apparent ease. I would recommend using some aqua-scaping tweezers to plant with, as I feel you would struggle using your fingertips due to how light it is; though, most hobbyists will have already invested in these sorts of tools. I was able to plant dwarf hairgrass in blades of 6-12 across the entire tank without any uprooting. It is nutrient dense are all growing healthily at a rate I am pleased with, even without the use of liquid Co2, or any fertilisers. I did not wash the soil as some other substrates recommend, but my water is still crystal clear! Though, I recommend covering the floor of the aquarium a plastic bag and filling the tank slowly to prevent disturbance, which helps prevent any initial cloudiness and reduces the chance of your newly-planted plants uprooting. This substrate is quite pricey but in my opinion for a hobbyist looking to create a densely planted tank it is worth every penny. Note: I would not recommend using this substrate for fish that like to poke around the substrate, such as goldfish; nor would I recommend it for snails, as they may uproot your plants. It's perfect for shrimp aquariums, and excellent for other fish which don't dig as much, such as Bettas. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Only substrate you need for live plants *by R***N on 1 April 2025* Recently I decided to buy a 300l tank and desperately needed new substrate to fill it. Being a live plant girly, I knew I was going to buy this for the bottom. Pros: •This substrate is literally the best one you can get for plant health/growth. Plants will thrive in this and form the most intricate roots all around it so you know it’s doing its job! •Helps keep my slightly higher water pH neutral which keeps my tank and its inhabitants happy. •Safe for all delicate invertebrates and fish! Cons: •Don’t ever try washing this because it will just form mud! It’s impossible to wash which in turn causes some unfavorable stuff in your tank (but a good filter will fix it no problem!) •Adding to above, putting in without washing causes your tank to go a horribly cloudy color with some bits floating on top that need to be removed with a net. Rather unsightly but easily fixed. Overall, I wouldn’t ever buy another substrate for my tank because it doesn’t get much better than this. My plants all thrive and it keeps my tank healthy. Would definitely recommend! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Trusted Substrate for Healthy Planted Tanks *by B***G on 1 April 2026* This is the only brand I trust when it comes to setting up a planted tank. My plants have been growing really well, even after a few months submerged—the nutrients are clearly still there and doing their job. I’m currently running three planted tanks using this, and the results have been consistently great across all of them. Perfect for both plants and shrimp, and overall very reliable. Highly recommended for anyone serious about planted tanks! ## Frequently Bought Together - Fluval 12695 Plant and Shrimp Stratum for Freshwater Fish Tanks, 17.6 lbs. – Aquarium Substrate for Strong Plant Growth, Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH - API FRESHWATER MASTER TEST KIT 800-Test Freshwater Aquarium Water Master Test Kit, White, Single, Multi-colored - API ROOT TABS Freshwater Aquarium Plant Fertilizer 0.4-Ounce 10-Count Box --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71340058-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-8-kg](https://www.desertcart.sn/products/71340058-plant-and-shrimp-stratum-aquarium-planting-substrate-brown-8-kg) --- *Product available on Desertcart Senegal* *Store origin: SN* *Last updated: 2026-09-02*