{"product_id":"fluval-betta-stratum","title":"Fluval Betta Stratum","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#f5f5f5;border-left:4px solid #666;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFluval Betta Stratum\u003c\/strong\u003e is a Japanese volcanic soil substrate made specifically for betta and small planted aquariums. The 1 to 3 mm granules are infused with beneficial bacteria to jump-start biological filtration, support healthy plant roots, and hold a neutral to slightly acidic pH that bettas and tropical plants love. Pair it with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003ebetta food\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e to build a low-maintenance planted betta home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFeatures\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapanese volcanic soil promotes vigorous plant growth and vibrant color\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfused with beneficial bacteria to boost biological filtration and water quality\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for bettas and planted tanks\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLightweight, non-compacting granules let roots spread and reach nutrients\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e1 to 3 mm granules sized for bettas, so uneaten food stays accessible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmooth texture helps protect delicate betta fins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSoftens water naturally by reducing carbonate hardness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDark substrate makes betta colors pop and will not stain the water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for nano and small freshwater aquariums\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdd a bed of about 1 inch across the bottom of your aquarium, then fill slowly over a plate or bag to keep the water clear. The dormant bacteria in the substrate awaken once submerged, so add it before you plant and cycle the tank. A single 1.76 lb (0.8 kg) bag suits a typical nano or betta tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:8px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eBrand\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eFluval\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eProduct\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eBetta Stratum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eType\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eVolcanic soil planted substrate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eNet weight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e1.76 lb (0.8 kg)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eGranule size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e1 to 3 mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003epH influence\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eNeutral to slightly acidic\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eJapan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;width:36%;\"\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eBettas and small freshwater planted aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Pairings\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003eLive aquarium plants\u003c\/a\u003e to root directly into the stratum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBetta food\u003c\/a\u003e for daily feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eFreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e like a conditioner, heater, and gentle filter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #666;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need to rinse it first?\u003c\/strong\u003e No. Add it dry and fill the tank slowly to avoid clouding. Any light initial haze clears within a day or two as the substrate settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e One 1.76 lb bag covers a nano or small betta tank at about a 1 inch bed. Deeper beds or larger footprints may need a second bag.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it lower my pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e It helps hold a neutral to slightly acidic range and softens water by reducing carbonate hardness, which suits bettas and most tropical plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the beneficial bacteria survive in the bag?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. The bacteria are conditioned into a dormant state for packaging and awaken once the substrate is submerged in your aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48987454931163,"sku":"12689","price":7.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/12689_Packaging_INT-2048x2048.jpg?v=1784359880","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-betta-stratum","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}