Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum Aquarium Substrate, 4 kg for Planted Tanks

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is a freshwater aquarium substrate designed to support live plant growth and shrimp habitats, supplied in an 8.8 lb bag.

• Plant roots can penetrate and spread through the substrate — helping live plants reach available nutrients.
• Light, porous, non-compacting structure — provides surface area for beneficial nitrifying bacteria to colonize.
• Supports a neutral to slightly acidic pH — suited to most aquatic plants and tropical fish or shrimp commonly kept in planted aquariums.
• Provides newborn shrimp with refuge — giving them a place to escape predation until they are large enough to emerge.
• Does not discolor aquarium water — also helps control organic discoloration commonly associated with natural driftwood.
• One 8.8 lb bag — a defined quantity of substrate for a freshwater planted aquarium.

Choosing substrate affects both the growing environment for live plants and the places small aquarium inhabitants can shelter. Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is made for freshwater planted tanks, where its structure supports plant roots and beneficial bacteria while providing a refuge for young shrimp. Its water-condition and appearance benefits make it relevant for aquariums with plants, tropical fish, shrimp, or natural driftwood décor.

How does Fluval Stratum support live aquatic plants?

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum lets plant roots enter and spread through the substrate, where they can access a variety of readily available nutrients. The substrate is light and does not compact, supporting root development as plants grow. For a fuller supply of essential macro- and micronutrients, Fluval Plant Micronutrients can be added to the aquarium; it is an addition to the substrate, not part of the 8.8 lb bag.

• Made for freshwater aquariums planted with live aquatic plants.
• Fluval Plant Micronutrients provide the additional macro- and micronutrient complement.

Can I use this substrate in an aquarium with shrimp?

Yes. Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum is designed for planted freshwater aquariums containing shrimp, and its supported neutral to slightly acidic pH is also suitable for tropical fish and most plant species commonly kept in these tanks. Its substrate creates a refuge for newborn shrimp, helping them avoid predation until they are large enough to emerge from shelter.

• Suitable for planted aquarium environments with tropical fish as well as shrimp.
• Designed to support a neutral to slightly acidic pH range.

Will Fluval Stratum affect water clarity or biological filtration?

Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum will not discolor aquarium water, and it helps control organic discoloration commonly associated with natural driftwood. Its porous surface provides an area for nitrifying bacteria to colonize; this supports biological filtration and aquarium water quality. That makes the substrate useful in planted freshwater setups where both live plants and beneficial bacteria are part of the aquarium environment.

• The porous structure offers surface area for rapid colonization by nitrifying bacteria.
• Helps manage organic discoloration that can occur when natural driftwood décor is used.

This 8.8 lb bag suits freshwater aquarium keepers building a planted habitat for live plants, tropical fish, or shrimp, particularly when young shrimp need places to shelter. Fluval Plant and Shrimp Stratum combines root-accessible substrate, a porous bacteria-colonization surface, and shrimp refuge in one aquarium substrate.