{"product_id":"caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs","title":"CaribSea PyroFlora Volcanic Substrate 6 lbs | Mineral-Rich Planted Tank Soil","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eCaribSea 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eLooking for more substrate options? Browse our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/substrate-decor\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eSubstrate \u0026amp; Décor\u003c\/a\u003e selection or the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFreshwater\u003c\/a\u003e collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eReal volcanic rock — basaltic origin, mineral-rich, no dyes or coatings\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eLoaded with iron, manganese, magnesium, and trace elements plants pull from the root zone\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003ePorous structure — generous biological surface area for nitrifying bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eSlightly softens water and lowers KH\/pH — supportive for planted, shrimp, and biotope setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eDeep black tone — makes green plants, red stems, and brightly-colored fish\/shrimp pop\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003eHeavy enough to anchor stem plants and root crowns without floating up\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eCoverage \u0026amp; Setup\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eRinse 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse;\"\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eCaribSea\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003ePyroFlora Volcanic Substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eActive mineral-rich volcanic substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNet Weight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e6 lbs\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDeep black\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFreshwater — planted, shrimp, biotope\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAffects Water Chemistry\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eYes — slightly lowers KH\/pH\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCoverage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e~5–10 gallons depending on depth\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n    \u003ctr\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n      \u003ctd style=\"padding: 6px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eNew\u003c\/td\u003e\n    \u003c\/tr\u003e\n  \u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cul\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/substrate-decor\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOther substrates\u003c\/a\u003e — cap with sand or layer with inert gravel for visual contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/water-treatments\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eWater conditioners \u0026amp; root tabs\u003c\/a\u003e — boost long-term plant nutrition\u003c\/li\u003e\n    \u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eFreshwater plants \u0026amp; livestock\u003c\/a\u003e — the substrate is shrimp-, plant-, and fish-safe\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionTitle\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"sectionContent\"\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this safe for shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. PyroFlora is shrimp-safe and the slight KH\/pH softening actually benefits Neocaridina and Caridina species. Cycle the tank fully before adding shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it cloud my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long do the nutrients last?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe mineral profile feeds plant roots for roughly 1–2 years before depletion. After that, supplement with root tabs or refresh part of the substrate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it lower my pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSlightly — 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I use this in a saltwater tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. PyroFlora is formulated for freshwater planted setups. For reef tanks, choose an aragonite-based substrate from CaribSea's reef line instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"CaribSea","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48517963284699,"sku":"00620","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_cdd50b46-a31e-49aa-a4d0-4ef9d19a9091.png?v=1774626894","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/caribsea-pyroflora-volcanic-substrate-6-lbs","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}