Fluval Stratum Planted Tank Substrate

Fluval Stratum Planted Tank Substrate

Collected from the mineral-rich foothills of Japan’s Mount Aso volcano, Fluval Stratum is a premium planted-tank substrate designed to give aquarium plants and shrimp the soft, nutrient-friendly base they need to thrive.

Fluval Stratum Overview

Fluval Stratum consists of lightweight, porous volcanic granules that create an ideal rooting and bacterial environment in freshwater aquariums. As a planted-tank substrate, it is especially well-suited for:

• Rooted plants like Amazon Sword and Dwarf Sagittaria that send out extensive root systems
• Stem and red plants such as Ludwigia Peruensis that appreciate a nutrient-rich base and stable conditions
• Foreground and carpeting plants that benefit from a fine, easily penetrated substrate
• Shrimp and nano setups, where softer, slightly acidic water and fine granules are preferred

The granules are soft enough not to damage delicate roots or shrimp, and their dark, natural color shows off green and red plants beautifully while helping fish and invertebrates feel more secure.

Fluval Stratum naturally helps support a neutral to slightly acidic pH, which is ideal for most popular planted-tank fish and invertebrates normally kept in freshwater aquariums.

Key Benefits

Choosing the right substrate is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when setting up a planted aquarium. Fluval Stratum is designed from the ground up (literally) to give your plants, shrimp, and beneficial bacteria exactly what they need to thrive, while also making your aquascape look more natural and established from day one.

Fluval Stratum is engineered to support healthy, long-term growth in planted tanks:

• Encourages Strong Root Growth – The loose, fine granules allow plant roots to easily penetrate and spread, making it an excellent base for plants like Amazon Sword, Dwarf Sagittaria, and other heavy root feeders.
• Porous Structure for Beneficial Bacteria – The highly porous surface area provides ample space for colonization by beneficial nitrifying bacteria, helping to support biological filtration and overall water quality.
• Supports Neutral to Slightly Acidic pH – Helps maintain conditions favored by most tropical plants, small community fish, and freshwater shrimp.
• Shrimp-Friendly – The texture and structure offer micro-refuges where newborn shrimp can shelter from larger tank mates until they are big enough to emerge.
• Clean, Natural Look – Fluval Stratum will not discolor your water and even helps reduce organic discoloration when you’re using natural driftwood in the aquascape.
• Freshwater Only – Designed specifically for freshwater planted aquariums and shrimp tanks.

Taken together, these features make Fluval Stratum a true “foundation piece” for planted aquariums—one that supports strong roots, stable biology, and the softer water conditions so many popular plants prefer. Whether you’re building your first planted tank or upgrading an existing aquascape, it’s a substrate choice that sets your plants up for long-term success.

Using Fluval Stratum in Your Aquarium

Fluval Stratum can be used on its own as the primary substrate, or as a base layer capped with additional material if desired. For most planted aquariums, a depth of about 1.18–1.57 in (3–4 cm) is recommended, with a slightly deeper layer in the back and shallower in the front to create a sense of depth.

As a general guideline:

• Tanks up to 45 cm (≈18 in) in length – use 1 × 2 kg bag
• Tanks around 45 cm (≈18 in) in length – use 1 × 4 kg bag
• Tanks around 60 cm (≈24 in) in length – use 1 × 8 kg bag
• Tanks around 90 cm (≈36 in) in length – use 1 × 8 kg + 1 × 4 kg bag

Once in the tank, arrange Fluval Stratum to create gentle slopes and planting zones. Heavier root feeders (like Amazon Swords and other large rosette plants) do especially well planted directly into Stratum, while stem plants, foreground plants, and runners (such as Dwarf Sagittaria) will spread readily through it over time.

Why Buy Fluval Stratum from Modern Aquarium

At Modern Aquarium, we carefully select and stock substrates that genuinely support healthy plant growth and stable aquarium ecosystems—so Fluval Stratum is a natural fit alongside our live plant offerings.

• Top Quality Store: Modern Aquarium has been designated by Google as a Top Quality Store on Google and has over 2,000 individual verified reviews from real customers, so you can shop with confidence.
• Curated for Planted Tanks: We pair Fluval Stratum with a wide range of compatible live aquarium plants, from root-hungry species like Amazon Sword and Dwarf Sagittaria to colorful stems such as Ludwigia Peruensis and floating plants like Red Root Floater and Duckweed.
• Fast, Reliable Shipping: We ship quickly and pack carefully so your substrate and plants arrive ready to use, minimizing setup delays.

For a complete planted setup, combine Fluval Stratum with our selection of live aquarium plants, full-spectrum lighting such as the Fluval Plant Spectrum 4.0 Bluetooth 24/7 LED Aquarium Light, and high-quality plant fertilizers like Thrive to keep your root feeders and stem plants well supplied with nutrients. To help keep glass and hardscape surfaces free of excess algae while staying plant-safe, consider adding our mystery snails—a low-maintenance cleanup crew that won’t disturb your substrate or uproot your plants, and makes an excellent final touch for a thriving, well-designed planted aquarium.