{"product_id":"fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum","title":"Fluval Plant \u0026 Shrimp 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 Plant \u0026amp; Shrimp Stratum\u003c\/strong\u003e is a natural volcanic soil collected from the mineral-rich foothills of the Mount Aso volcano in Japan, made for planted and shrimp aquariums. Its porous granules let plant roots spread and feed easily, host colonies of beneficial nitrifying bacteria, and hold a neutral to slightly acidic pH that most tropical plants, fish, and shrimp prefer. Pair it with our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-aquarium-plants\"\u003elive plants\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003efreshwater shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e to build a thriving aquascape.\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 encourages strong plant growth, with roots that penetrate and spread to reach key nutrients\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePorous structure allows rapid colonization of beneficial nitrifying bacteria\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupports a neutral to slightly acidic pH, ideal for planted tanks, tropical fish, and shrimp\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGives newborn shrimp a refuge from predators until they are large enough to emerge\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWill not discolor water and helps control organic discoloration when driftwood is present\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor use in 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;\"\u003eChoose Your Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:8px 0;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;\"\u003eSize\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;\"\u003eWeight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;\"\u003eBest For\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;background:#f5f5f5;padding:6px 8px;text-align:left;\"\u003ePrice\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e4.4 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e2 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eNano and small planted or shrimp tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e$14.99\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e8.8 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e4 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eSmall to mid-size aquascapes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e$27.99\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e17.6 lb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e8 kg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eLarger display planted tanks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e$50.99\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\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;\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eRinse gently to reduce initial cloudiness, then add a bed of about 2 to 3 inches and fill the tank slowly over a plate or bag to keep the water clear. Give the tank time to settle and cycle before adding sensitive shrimp or fish. Fluval suggests estimating how much you need by multiplying tank length x width x desired depth (in cm) and dividing by 1000 to get the weight in kilograms.\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;\"\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;\"\u003eProduct\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003ePlant \u0026amp; Shrimp 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;\"\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;\"\u003eSource\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eMount Aso volcano, Japan\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;\"\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;\"\u003eSizes\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003e4.4 lb (2 kg), 8.8 lb (4 kg), 17.6 lb (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;\"\u003eBest for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #ddd;padding:6px 8px;\"\u003eFreshwater planted and shrimp 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 into the stratum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/freshwater-invertebrates\"\u003eFreshwater shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e that shelter and breed in the granules\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fresh-water\"\u003eFreshwater supplies\u003c\/a\u003e like CO2, plant lighting, and ferts\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\u003eWhich size do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e As a rough guide, multiply your tank length x width x the substrate depth you want (all in cm) and divide by 1000 for the kilograms needed. Nano tanks usually take the 4.4 lb bag, while larger display tanks may need the 17.6 lb bag or more.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould I rinse it first?\u003c\/strong\u003e A gentle rinse reduces the light cloudiness that can appear at first. Fill the tank slowly and any haze clears within a day or two as the substrate settles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it safe for shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes. It is designed for shrimp and even shelters newborn shrimp. Let the tank settle and cycle before adding sensitive species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it change my pH?\u003c\/strong\u003e It helps hold a neutral to slightly acidic range that suits most planted-tank plants, tropical fish, and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Fluval","offers":[{"title":"4.4 lb (2 kg)","offer_id":48987521876187,"sku":"12693","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"8.8 lb (4 kg)","offer_id":48987521908955,"sku":"12694","price":27.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"17.6 lb (8 kg)","offer_id":48987521941723,"sku":"12695","price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/12693_packaging-1.jpg?v=1784362491","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/fluval-plant-and-shrimp-stratum","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}