CaribSea PyroFlora Volcanic Substrate 6 lbs | Mineral-Rich Planted Tank Soil

CaribSea PyroFlora is a mineral-rich, milled volcanic substrate designed to fuel live plant growth in freshwater aquariums. Formed from real basaltic lava rock, it carries a deep dark profile that makes greens, reds, and shrimp coloration pop, and a porous structure that doubles as biological filtration surface area for beneficial bacteria. Drop it in a planted tank, shrimp tank, or biotope and let the volcanic minerals do the heavy lifting.

Looking for more substrate options? Browse our Substrate & Décor selection or the full Freshwater collection.

• Real volcanic rock — basaltic origin, mineral-rich, no dyes or coatings
• Loaded with iron, manganese, magnesium, and trace elements plants pull from the root zone
• Porous structure — generous biological surface area for nitrifying bacteria
• Slightly softens water and lowers KH/pH — supportive for planted, shrimp, and biotope setups
• Deep black tone — makes green plants, red stems, and brightly-colored fish/shrimp pop
• Heavy enough to anchor stem plants and root crowns without floating up

A 6 lb bag covers roughly a 10-gallon footprint at a 1.5–2 inch substrate depth, or a 5-gallon at full planting depth. For larger or deeply-planted scapes, plan on 1 lb of substrate per gallon as a starting point.

Rinse lightly before use to remove dust (the bag is pre-washed but a quick rinse keeps initial cloudiness down). Add the substrate dry to the empty tank, slope it from front to back, then fill slowly over a plate or plastic bag to avoid stirring it up. Plants can go in immediately. Expect a slight pH/KH dip in the first week or two as the volcanic minerals interact with the water.

• Other substrates — cap with sand or layer with inert gravel for visual contrast
• Water conditioners & root tabs — boost long-term plant nutrition
• Freshwater plants & livestock — the substrate is shrimp-, plant-, and fish-safe

Is this safe for shrimp?
Yes. PyroFlora is shrimp-safe and the slight KH/pH softening actually benefits Neocaridina and Caridina species. Cycle the tank fully before adding shrimp.

Will it cloud my tank?
A short period of dust haze is normal at first fill. Rinse the bag once before pouring it in, fill water slowly over a plate, and the haze clears in 24–48 hours.

How long do the nutrients last?
The mineral profile feeds plant roots for roughly 1–2 years before depletion. After that, supplement with root tabs or refresh part of the substrate.

Will it lower my pH?
Slightly — typically a 0.2–0.5 unit drop, depending on starting KH. Soft-water-loving plants and shrimp appreciate it; if you're keeping rift-lake cichlids or hard-water species, this isn't the right substrate.

Can I use this in a saltwater tank?
No. PyroFlora is formulated for freshwater planted setups. For reef tanks, choose an aragonite-based substrate from CaribSea's reef line instead.