{"product_id":"fluval-plant-shrimp-stratum","title":"Fluval Plant \u0026 Shrimp Stratum","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA volcanic soil substrate that softens water for plants and shrimp without a separate buffer.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fluval Plant \u0026amp; Shrimp Stratum is a porous, active substrate sourced from the foothills of Mount Aso in Japan, built for planted aquascapes and dwarf shrimp colonies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe granules are lightweight and non-compacting, which lets roots and burrowing shrimp move through the substrate freely, and the porous surface gives beneficial bacteria somewhere to colonise. Fluval states it helps support a neutral to slightly acidic pH and softens water by reducing carbonate hardness — useful for soft-water species without reaching for a separate pH product.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eKey features\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eActive volcanic soil\u003c\/strong\u003e — porous granules from Mount Aso, Japan, that support root growth and bacterial colonisation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoftens and buffers water\u003c\/strong\u003e — helps move water toward neutral-to-slightly-acidic and reduces carbonate hardness, per Fluval.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-compacting\u003c\/strong\u003e — stays loose enough for roots and shrimplets to move through it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShrimplet refuge\u003c\/strong\u003e — the granule structure gives newborn shrimp somewhere to hide until they're large enough to be out in the open.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWon't discolour water\u003c\/strong\u003e — Fluval notes it also helps control the tannin staining that driftwood can cause.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpec\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDetail\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVolcanic soil (active substrate)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColour\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDark\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater effect\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoftens toward neutral–slightly acidic; reduces carbonate hardness (no numeric figure published by Fluval)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePreparation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRinse gently in a colander before use — do not agitate vigorously\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitability\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlanted tanks, dwarf shrimp, soft-water tropical fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eVariant specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSKU\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e0.8 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNAN28\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e—\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e—\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e—\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWill it fit my tank? \/ How much do I need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFluval publishes a simple formula for Stratum coverage: multiply your tank's footprint in centimetres (length × width) by the substrate depth you want in centimetres, then divide by 1000 — the answer is the weight in kilograms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTank footprint\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStratum needed for a 5 cm layer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30 × 30 cm (nano cube)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e≈ 4.5 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e60 × 30 cm (2 ft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e≈ 9 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e90 × 45 cm (3 ft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e≈ 20.3 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e120 × 50 cm (4 ft)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e≈ 30 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese are worked examples at a flat 5 cm depth, using Fluval's own formula — not a Fluval-published table for these exact tanks. Slope the substrate deeper at the back for an aquascape and you'll need more; a flat carpet-only layout needs less. For an exact figure, measure your tank's footprint and apply the formula above, or ask us and we'll work it out for your tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSuitable for, and not suitable for\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable for planted tanks, aquascapes and dwarf shrimp setups wanting a soft, slightly acidic substrate. Not the right choice if you specifically want a hard, alkaline substrate for African cichlids or livebearers — Stratum works against that water chemistry, not with it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCare and maintenance\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse gently before adding — a light dusting of fines is normal and settles within the first day or two. The pH-softening effect is strongest in the first few months and tapers as the substrate's buffering capacity is used up over time; Fluval does not publish a fixed replacement interval.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGoes well with\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWorks well under root-feeding plants such as swords and crypts, and alongside a gentle filter intake guard to keep shrimplets safe. Ask us about root tabs if you're planting heavy feeders directly into it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWarranty and delivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGeneral Fluval warranty terms apply to any manufacturing defect, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. Larger bag sizes (4 kg, 8 kg) are heavier parcels — standard parcel freight still applies, but expect a heavier box.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ch4\u003eDo I need to rinse Stratum before use?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eGently, yes — Fluval recommends rinsing in a colander without heavy agitation to remove dust, rather than a vigorous rinse that would break down the granules.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eWill it lower my pH permanently?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe softening effect is real but not permanent or precisely quantified by Fluval — expect it to be strongest early on and to fade as the substrate's buffering capacity is used up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eCan I mix pack sizes to hit an exact weight?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — the four sizes are designed to be combined; use the coverage formula above to work out your total, then combine bags to get close to it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch4\u003eIs it safe for a shrimp-only tank with no fish?\u003c\/h4\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes — it's specifically positioned by Fluval for shrimp tanks, including as a refuge for newborn shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"2 kg","offer_id":55249641210147,"sku":null,"price":32.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 kg","offer_id":55249641242915,"sku":null,"price":60.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8 kg","offer_id":55249641275683,"sku":null,"price":107.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"0.8 kg","offer_id":55335329890595,"sku":"NAN28","price":16.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/NAN25_1.png?v=1772078333","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/fluval-plant-shrimp-stratum","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}