{"product_id":"aquaforest-af-lava-soil-5-l","title":"Aquaforest AF Lava Soil 5 L","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background: #E8F5E9; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding: 10px 14px; margin: 0 0 14px; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAquaforest AF Lava Soil\u003c\/strong\u003e is a black, volcanic, mineral rich substrate for planted aquariums. Its porous, lightweight structure gives plant roots room to spread, improves water circulation through the bed, and offers a large surface area for beneficial bacteria, all of which support healthy long term plant growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding-left: 8px;\"\u003eBenefits\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePorous volcanic structure promotes strong, healthy roots\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge surface area encourages beneficial bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnriched with essential minerals for plant health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves circulation and biological filtration in the substrate bed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePre-rinsed for a quick, low mess setup\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding-left: 8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpread AF Lava Soil as a base substrate layer, then plant into it directly or cap it with aqua soil or sand. Fill the tank partially, add your plants, then top off the water slowly to avoid disturbing the bed. A typical layer is a few centimeters deep, with more depth for heavily rooted aquascapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding-left: 8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse: collapse; margin: 6px 0; font-size: 0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eVolcanic planted aquarium substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003eColor\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eBlack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003eVolume\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003e5 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eFreshwater planted tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003ePreparation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003ePre-rinsed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; background: #E8F5E9; padding: 6px 10px; font-weight: 600; white-space: nowrap; text-align: left;\"\u003eRole\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border: 1px solid #C8E6C9; padding: 6px 10px;\"\u003eBase layer or standalone plant substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding-left: 8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePair with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e to root into the substrate\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003efreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExplore the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/aquaforest\"\u003eAquaforest collection\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin: 14px 0 4px; font-size: 1.05em; font-weight: 600; line-height: 1.25; border-left: 4px solid #2E7D32; padding-left: 8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is AF Lava Soil used for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is a base or standalone substrate for planted aquariums, supporting plant roots, beneficial bacteria, and water circulation through the substrate bed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow deep should the layer be?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA few centimeters works as a base layer. Use more depth for aquascapes with heavy root feeders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to rinse it first?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt comes pre-rinsed, so setup is quick. A brief rinse never hurts if you want the clearest possible startup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use it under aqua soil?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. AF Lava Soil works well as a porous base layer beneath aqua soil or on its own.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Aquaforest","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48091336376539,"sku":"250907","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/af-lava-soil_black.webp?v=1757243868","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/aquaforest-af-lava-soil-5-l","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}